DAVID ATTENBOROUGH interview from 1974

David Attenborough chats to Jeffrey Preece about his wide-ranging career in television. He recalls his early days as a trainee television producer - working on live broadcast BBC shows like Animal, Vegetable, Mineral - through to his first experience as presenter, when he was forced to replace Jack Lester at short notice on Zoo Quest.

Attenborough explains how a childhood spent cycling around Leicester first ignited his interest in the natural world, and inspired him to make natural history and archaeology programmes.

Why did he stop making programmes and take the job of Controller of BBC Two, and what were the challenges of that job? Does he harbour ambitions of becoming the BBC Director General? Why now, after years away, has he decided to return to programme making? Finally, what role does he feel conservation should play in natural history documentaries?

This clips is from Personal Account, originally broadcast 27 August, 1974.