Television wildlife legend Sir David Attenborough, below, spoke of his appreciation of rituals when collecting an honorary degree at Oxford Brookes University.

Sir David after the ceremony

The presenter and author was given a doctorate on September 17, in social sciences and law, in recognition of his contribution to natural history and conservation.

Sir David said: "Anthropology graduates will know that what we are involved in here is a ritual. I have taken part in many. In Fiji they anoint their bodies with coconut oil."