The first in a new series of the highly acclaimed natural history programme is a celebration of its 25th birthday.

Highlights recalled include the plight of the euglossine bee when exposed to the sex life of the bucket orchid, vulcanologist Maurice Krafft risking death to record an erupting volcano, and Jeremy Cherfas eating as many red hot jalapeno peppers as possible in 15 minutes.

Originally called The World about Us, the programme was commissioned by David Attenborough, then controller of BBC2. He asked for "films from all over the world about our astonishing planet and the creatures that live on it. "

Tonight's programme is written and narrated by Barry Paine, so often the unseen voice, and also previews the new series, covering subjects as diverse as flamingos, killer whales and frogs.

25 years out in the wild with the Natural World: See Feature page 40