‘True pioneer’ wildlife cameraman Doug Allan dies aged 74

Renowned wildlife cameraman Doug Allan has died aged 74 while trekking in Nepal.

Described as a “true pioneer” of wildlife film-making, Allan was a principal cameraman on a number of BBC series including Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and The Blue Planet, and often worked with Sir David Attenborough.

He won several Bafta and Emmy awards for his work and in 2024 was made an OBE for services to broadcast media and environmental awareness.

His management company Jo Sarsby Management said he died “immersed in nature and surrounded by friends”.

Paying tribute to him, they said: “A true pioneer of wildlife film-making, Doug captured some of the most breathtaking and intimate moments in the natural world.”

They added: “Doug leaves behind a visual legacy that few could ever match.

“His work brought audiences closer to the wonders of our planet, inspiring awe, understanding and deep respect for the planet.

“When we think of Doug, we will always remember his unforgettable kindness and his extraordinary talent.

“It has been an honour and a privilege to represent Doug as his agent and to know him as a friend for over 30 years. He was a true gentleman and he will be profoundly missed.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, colleagues across the wildlife film-making industry and the many people around the world who admired his work.”

Originally from Dunfermline in Fife, Allan graduated from Stirling University in 1973 with an honours degree in marine biology.

In 1976 he became a research diver on the British Antarctic Survey station at Signy Island in the South Orkneys and his interested in filming developed.

He previously described how a chance meeting with Sir David Attenborough led to his decision to become a wildlife cameraman.

In a previous interview, Allan said: “When I graduated (from Stirling University) I came out and did various jobs to do with diving, went to the Red Sea to work with some biologists, worked for a year with Bill Abernethy, who was Scotland’s last full-time professional pearl fisherman.

“Then I went to the Antarctic and that’s when I as a diver discovered photography.”

Asked how he became a wildlife film-maker, he explained: “It was a chance meeting with David Attenborough, of all people, in 1981. He turned up in our base with a small film crew.

“I helped him for a couple of days and quite literally at the end of those two days I looked at the cameraman and thought ‘you know, you are doing all the things I like doing’.”

He added: “The next trip to the Antarctic I bought a 16mm movie camera and in the wonderful naiveness of youth I went and did some filming of emperor penguins and sold the footage to BBC when I went back.

“That’s where it all started.”