Petition for David Attenborough to be renamed 'Boaty McBoatface'

This research ship was named after Sir David Attenborough Credit: NERC

A petition calling for naturalist Sir David Attenborough to be renamed Sir Boaty McBoatface has accrued over 2,000 signatures.

The online campaign, started by a man called Gary Jackson, was launched after a government decision to name a research ship after the TV veteran.

Despite the public voting overwhelmingly in favour of the ship being named Boaty McBoatface, the government settled with the name RRS Sir David Attenborough on Friday.

But now, a petition for Sir David to change his name "in the interest of democracy” has been launched.

Sir David turns 90 on Sunday Credit: PA

The author, Mr Jackson, wrote: "The public want the UK's new polar research ship to be named Boaty McBoatface, but it will instead will be named after the revered naturalist and thoroughly lovely bloke Sir David Attenborough.

"Wouldn’t it be great if Sir David changed his name to Sir Boaty McBoatface in the interest of democracy and humour?".

So far, more than 2,000 have signed the petition, including Debbie Vesa who commented: “It’s a lovely name, for a wonderful man".Sir David turns 90 on Sunday.