Viewers slam BBC Breakfast host's 'cringeworthy' interview with Sir David Attenborough who gives her short shrift when she quizzes him over meeting the Queen... before asking him: 'Why are butterflies so colourful?'

• The interview with Sir David Attenborough is branded 'car crash TV' by viewers
• He became increasingly unimpressed when asked about meeting the Queen
• The broadcaster started giving interviewer Naga Munchetty short answers
• The BBC Breakfast host was ridiculed online after the 'awkward' chat was aired

Viewers today branded a BBC interview with Sir David Attenborough 'car crash TV' after it turned awkward when he was quizzed about Queen.

The 92-year-old presenter and naturalist was on BBC Breakfast to urge people to take part in the biggest butterfly count.

The interview began smoothly when host Naga Munchetty asked the legendary documentary-maker about the campaign, but he became increasingly unimpressed as she tried to ask him about his meeting with the Queen.

He started giving Munchetty short shrift with one word answers which left viewers increasingly uncomfortable.

Scores took to social media to brand the interview 'toe curling' and ridiculed her when she asked him: 'Why are butterflies so colourful?'

One said: 'Nagga Munchetty interviewing Sir David Attenborough on BBC Breakfast is the very definition of car crash tv...'

Another wrote: 'Had to switch off the telly, the BBC Breakfast David Attenborough interview was beyond awkward... he was having none of it.'

And another user said: 'This interview with Sir David Attenborough on BBC Breakfast is making my toes curl'

Others slammed her interviewing technique saying: 'Have never enjoyed watching Naga on @BBCBreakfast and the piece just now with Sir David Attenborough confirmed why. What a dreadful piece of interviewing.' 

 The interview began smoothly when host Naga Munchetty asked the Blue Planet II star about the campaign

Munchetty started the interview by asking about the biggest butterfly count, to which he replied: 'What we're asking is that people should just put other things aside and, for 15 minutes, sit in a sunny place, maybe in a little garden, somewhere quiet, and just see what butterflies come down.'

After discussing Blue Planet II, the hit BBC series on the Earth's oceans, Sir David was put on the spot over his recent conversation with the Queen.

He met Her Majesty for an ITV documentary in April called the Queen's Green Planet, which examined the Queen's Commonwealth Canopy, a project to create a network of protected forests around the globe.

Munchetty said: 'You recently had a discussion with the Queen and we're very keen to know if perhaps you discussed plastics with her when you met her?' Munchetty asked.

'No, we did not,' the much-loved broadcaster replied.  

Naga Munchetty's interview with Sir David Attenborough

Naga Munchetty: 'You recently had a discussion with the Queen and we're very keen to know if perhaps if you discussed plastics and the environment with her when you did meet her.'

Sir David Attenborough: 'No i did not. No I did not,'

NM: 'Because obviously Prince Charles her son has been a great advocate of helping the environment, its an issue that does appear to be held closely to the royal family's hearts.'

DA 'That's as maybe, yes.'

NM: 'I understand your reluctance to talk about that conversation, but perhaps you'd be keen to talk about the launch of RRS Sir David Attenboriugh, the boat recently launched...'

DA: 'I wanted to talk about the Big Butterfly count, that's why you invited me here.'

NM: 'Of course, and we will do and we will continue to do, but we cant resist the opportunity to talk to you about more, because you are so fondly held in people's hearts, and an example of that is the naming of that boat, which launched recently, which you were at. Was that a significant moment for you?'

DA: 'Yes it was.'

NM: 'How did you feel when you saw the launch?'

DA: 'It was a very moving occasion.'

NM: 'With the Butterfly count, what will you be doing, what part will you be playing in the count?

DA: 'I shall be doing what I am suggesting other people do, which is to take 15 minutes on a sunny day and find a nice open space where there are butterflies and sit down and count which kind of butterflies come and how long they stay and how many you see.

NM: 'Do you gave a favourite butterfly?'

DA: 'Er, yes I do. I love the peacock butterfly, and I have seen a number of them in my garden this year.'

NM: 'Why are butterflies so colourful? What is it about them that distinguishes them in their place in the natural world?'

DA: (Laughs) 'Butterflies are butterflies. We all know what butterflies are and they have different colours because butterflies have eyes and they can recognise prospective mates.' 

Munchetty went on: 'Prince Charles, her son, has been a great of advocate of helping the environment. It's an issue that does seem to be held closely to the royal family's heart.'

'That's as maybe, yes,' Sir David would only say.

Munchetty told him: 'I understand your reluctance to talk about that conversation but perhaps you'd be keen to talk about RRS Sir David Attenborough?' - referring to the ship Sir David recently launched.

'I wanted to talk about the Big Butterfly Count, that's why you invited me here,' he replied.

'Of course we will do and will continue to, but we can't resist the opportunity to talk to you about more because you're so fondly held in so many people's hearts and an example of that was RSS Sir David Attenborough. Was that a significant moment for you?' Munchetty asked.

Sir David Attenborough met the Queen for a documentary  called The Queen's Green Planet, which was broadcast on ITV in April

'Yes, it was', Sir David replied.

'And how did you feel when you saw it launch?'

'It was a very moving occasion,' he said.

Munchetty returned to the subject of butterflies, asking, 'Do you have a favourite butterfly?' and then: 'Why are butterflies so colourful?'

Sir David laughed before replying: 'Butterflies are butterflies. We all know what butterflies are and they have different colours because butterflies have eyes and they can recognise prospective mates.' Sir David met the Queen last summer for the ITV documentary that aired in April.

The hour long programme focused on the monarch's initiative to mark her lifetime's service to the Commonwealth by encouraging a network of conservation projects in all 53 member states.

Sir David spoke to the Queen about her love of trees, and viewers were given rare glimpses of her sense of humour as she chatted to Sir David in the grounds of Buckingham Palace.

Munchetty also tried to ask the veteran broadcaster about the launch of RRS Sir David Attenbourgh earlier this week. 

Sir David Attenborough (centre) has launched his namesake ship - which the public originally voted to be called Boaty McBoatface

RRS Sir David Attenborough will be used by the British Antarctic Survey for polar research once it is completed - hopefully by next year

He launched his namesake ship at the River Mersey in Birkenhead and he said he was 'extraordinarily emotional' as it slipped into the water for the first time.

However the polar ship could have been bestowed a rather different title as Boaty McBoatface came out top in an internet poll staged by the Natural Environment Research Council. 

This was rejected after Ministers intervened to insist on a more appropriate name. 

Sir Attenborough said at the event: 'Our future and everybody's future will be affected by what people on this ship will be discovering for years to come.  

'To see this magnificent hull with my name on it is the greatest possible honour.'  

Sir David Attenborough wants YOU to help with the world's biggest butterfly count 

Sir David Attenborough is urging people to take part in the annual 'Big Butterfly Count', the largest event of its kind in the world.

The three-week event is crucial to monitor nationwide butterfly levels.

The 92-year-old veteran broadcaster also said spending time outside to count the insects will help people escape the pressures of modern life by providing 'precious breathing space'.

The summer heatwave hitting the UK at the moment has provided some of the best conditions for butterflies in decades.

However, experts have warned that should the warm weather turn into a drought, plants will wither and caterpillars will starve — causing chaos for the insects.

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Sir David Attenborough is urging people to take part in the Big Butterfly Count. The broadcasting icon claims spending time in the great outdoors allows people to escape the pressures of modern life by providing 'precious breathing space'

The Big Butterfly Count starts today and will take place over the next three weeks.

Experts claim the benefits of the study are two-fold and benefit both the butterflies and the volunteers counting them.

Primarily, the count is designed to assess the success of butterfly populations across the UK, however, it is also hoped the project will improve the mental health of those involved in the count.

The summer heatwave experienced throughout the UK has provided some of the best conditions for butterflies in decades and the common blue butterflies (pictured) could also see bumper numbers in the annual Big Butterfly Count

Research has found that mental health issues such as depression and anxiety can be alleviated by spending time in nature.

This year has seen the UK experience the ideal combination of a cold winter and a settled late spring and summer, enabling spring butterfly populations to thrive.

The annual count could record a bumper year for species such as holly blue, common white, common blue, and red admirals.

But the ongoing hot, dry conditions nationwide could mean plants wither away and the next generation of caterpillars cannot find the food they need to survive.

Populations of butterflies collapsed as a result of the 1976 drought for this reason,  wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation cautioned.The Big Butterfly Count, organised by Butterfly Conservation and sponsored by B&Q, asks people to spot and record 17 species of common butterflies as well as two day-flying moths during three weeks at the height of summer.

Mental health charity Mind is supporting the Big Butterfly Count as a 'wonderful way of interacting with the environment' and championing the benefits of spending time in nature. 

Butterfly Conservation president and veteran broadcaster Sir David Attenborough has spoken of the mental health benefits of spending time in nature, even at home watching garden wildlife.

'I have been privileged to have witnessed some truly breath-taking wildlife spectacles in far-flung locations but some of my most memorable experiences have happened when I've been simply sitting and watching the wildlife that lives where I do,' he said.

'A few precious moments spent watching a stunning red admiral or peacock butterfly feeding amongst the flowers in my garden never fails to bring me great pleasure.

People are asked to spot 17 common butterflies and two day-flying moths in the Big Butterfly Count. The Big Butterfly Count involves spending 15 minutes in a sunny spot counting butterflies and submitting sightings online

'Spending time with nature offers us all precious breathing space away from the stresses and strains of modern life, it enables us to experience joy and wonder, to slow down and to appreciate the wildlife that lives side by side with us.'

Sir David also said the Big Butterfly Count, which involves spending 15 minutes in a sunny spot counting butterflies and submitting sightings online, can help gather vital information that may help protect them in the future.

More than three-quarters of the UK's butterflies have declined in the last 40 years, with some common species, such as the small tortoiseshell, suffering significant slumps.

Sir David said: 'A cause for great concern over recent years is that many of our once common and widespread species like the large white, small copper and gatekeeper have started to struggle, mirroring the declines of rarer species.

'Butterfly Conservation has also revealed that butterflies are declining faster in our towns and cities than in the countryside.

'So please take part in the Big Butterfly Count this summer, we need to know, now, more than ever before, just what is happening to butterflies in our towns, in our gardens and in our countryside.'