An internet petition is calling on Sir David Attenborough to change his name via deed poll in protest to the government's decision to overturn a poll in which the British public chose to name a high-tech research vessel Boaty McBoatface.
The British people overwhelmingly chose to name the ship Boaty McBoatface in the open poll, with 124,109 choosing the winning name - however the government decided to honour Sir David Attenborough instead, despite the option coming last in the poll with only 10,284 votes.
Now a petition on Change.org is calling on the beloved broadcaster to stand up for democracy by legally changing his name to Boaty McBoatface.
Despite the government's decision to completely ignore a democratic choice by the people of the UK, they instead paid homage to the original winner of the poll by giving the name Boaty McBoatface to a small submarine which will be on board the RRS Sir David Attenborough.
On the Change.org page, one supporter said: "We cannot let the voices of the British public be over-ruled by the political elite once more!
"The fourth plinth at Trafalgar Square should be dedicated to Boaty McBoatface! The National Anthem should be re-written for Boaty McBoatface!
"If David Attenborough refuses this morally righteous course of action, we might as well let the terrorists win for democracy is dead."
