LEGENDARY polar explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes has called for NERC’s Boaty McBoatface to be launched with a more “fitting” and “inspirational” name – suggesting “Sir David Attenborough” as he celebrates his 90th birthday this weekend.

The new ship has already made waves after the Natural Environment Research Council’s Name Our Ship campaign was besieged by support for the name Boaty McBoatface. When the contest closed in the middle of last month Boaty was the runaway winner with 124,109 votes.

Its closest competitor was RRS Poppy-Mai with 34,371 votes while RRS Henry Worsley came in at third with 15,231 votes.

Writing in the London Evening Standard, Sir Ranulph called for NERC to name the ship after something that would reflect its “serious” work.

Citing the BBC documentary veteran’s 90th birthday on Sunday he said: “Over the course of his career he has done more than any other British broadcaster to bring the wonder and beauty of the natural world to our attention, including many of parts of it that are familiar to me. His enthusiasm is infectious, his diction familiar to us all, as is his love of living creatures and their environment.

“One part of the world that Sir David has done a great deal to educate us about is one that I have come to know well over the years: the polar regions, where he has investigated the life and habits of the great creatures of the region, such as the Emperor Penguins, polar bears and the fabulous albatross.

“So I should like to propose a really fitting birthday tribute to him: that we should name the UK’s new polar exploration vessel in his honour.”

Describing BBC Radio journalist James Hand’s suggestion of Boaty as a “mischievous online bid” he added: “It was a good joke, but given the serious work she will be undertaking we need something more fitting and inspirational — and what could be better than HMS David Attenborough?

“The vessel will work in the polar regions and will allow scientists to carry out research safely and efficiently, even through the harsh and inhospitable conditions there, which I know all too well.

“Sir David already has several species of plants, insects and birds named after him in the course of his long career; his name will live on.

“But it would be a really fitting tribute to our greatest living witness to the wonders of wildlife in remote lands to name this wonderful new vessel after him.

“We, as a nation, would do well to show our pride that he is one of us by honouring him in this way.”

The call comes after science minister Jo Johnson hinted that hopes of the multi-million pound vessel setting sale under the name of Boaty McBoatface were highly unlikely.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "You won't be surprised to know that we want something that fits the mission and captures the spirit of scientific endeavour. The public has come up with some fantastic and very imaginative suggestions. We are reviewing all of them."

NERC declined to comment.