A film producer who has collaborated with Sir David Attenborough throughout the past decade has discussed the soon-to-be centenarian "slowing down".

The national treasure celebrates his 100th birthday next month, with the BBC marking his centenary with a live event at the Royal Albert Hall and several documentaries broadcasting.

Prior to the landmark occasion, BBC Breakfast hosts Jon Kay and Sarah Campbell were joined by film producer and director Joe Loncraine, who has partnered with Sir David on numerous occasions throughout the years.

When questioned about Sir David's influence on his life and professional journey, Joe responded: "It's immeasurable really. I remember watching Trials of Life, which was one of the first series I used to watch with my mum, and then everything that came after that, that was in the early 90s.

"Personally, and then from the degree I chose to do, to the career I went into, and then actually in my career, working with him has been really good fun as well as an amazing experience because he's brilliant to work with," reports the Mirror.

Recalling the first time he worked with Sir David, Joe, who began working in TV around 20 years ago when Sir David was in his mid-70s, shared: "I thought that I'd never be lucky enough to work with him. I was, and I've worked with him several times over the last 10 years.

"You imagine you're going to be quite starstruck when you meet someone who is a legend and has been such a big influence, but he so quickly seemed like any other colleague because he puts you at ease and is really integral to the process of making the programme and discussing what you're going to do. Very quickly, you relax and get on with the job."

Joe spoke about how integral Sir David has been throughout the whole process for filming one project last year, saying: "I don't think he ever says he didn't want to do anything, he always had more ideas, like 'Why aren't we doing this, why aren't we doing that?' because he has so much knowledge about stuff you can do."

Explaining the process, he went on: "He gets hold of the temporary script and turns it into his own way of speaking that is so unique and so special."

With Sir David set to mark his 100th birthday, Joe also addressed the renowned broadcaster's future on TV, when asked if he thought Sir David would be "slowing down" anytime soon.

He said: "I first worked with him just before his 90th birthday, and I thought, I'm so glad I got to work with him because surely he won't be making films for much longer now that he's nearly 90.

"Since then, I've worked with him on five projects, five different films over that time in the last ten years, and I've stopped thinking he'll be slowing down. You'll lose that bet if you have it any time.

"He always surprises us, he's always wanting to do more. He remains very curious about the world and wants to learn more and show people what he's learnt and show people what he's excited about.

"I imagine he'll probably rest a bit more, he's earnt it. But I wouldn't be surprised if he keeps doing stuff for as long as we want him, which will be as long as we can have him."

Back in 2019, Sir David, then 91, said he would retire from broadcasting if his work became substandard, or if he could no longer walk up and down stairs.

"I would like to think I would be able to detect when I couldn't find the right words any more," he told the Radio Times. "If I think I'm not producing commentary with any freshness or which is apposite or to the point, I hope I would be able to recognise it before someone else told me.

"If I thought I was turning in substandard work, that would stop me."

He added: ""If I can't walk up and down steps any more, that will stop me.

"Yes I do dread not working, although there are things I can do without running up steps six times - books to be written, things I've never got round to."

BBC Breakfast airs weekdays from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.