TV presenter and naturalist Sir David Attenborough is to have urgent heart surgery, it has been reported.
The Leicester-born broadcaster, 87, has cancelled a tour of Australia and is said to be having the surgery in London this week after cardiologist advice that he is in need of a pacemaker.
A statement on the tour organiser Lateral Events' website said that Sir David hopes to reschedule the A Life on Earth dates shortly.
"Sir David Attenborough is to undergo surgery in London today following advice from his cardiologist that he is in urgent need of a pacemaker," the statement reads.
"It is with regret, therefore, that Lateral Events CEO Simon Baggs announced that the forthcoming sell-out tour of Australia, scheduled to begin in Brisbane next week, has been cancelled."
It continues: "Sir David expressed his extreme disappointment as he said he was very much looking forward to coming back to Australia and he hopes to reschedule his tour in the near future.
"Baggs advised that after Sir David recovers from surgery, discussions concerning a potential rescheduling of the tour can begin."
Sir David has become synonymous with TV nature programmes, most recently with his Planet Earth and Frozen Planet series.
He was born in London, but raised along with brother Richard in College House on the University of Leicester campus.
