In a world first, museum-goers will get special hands-on access to rare objects, while a 3D hologram of Attenborough will offer his own insight on each specimen in a one-on-one interactive experience.

He will be transformed into a hologram and will guide participants to virtually hold and handle fossils, bringing the objects to life. 

This virtual technology will allow people to hold up, peer inside, tilt and look more closely at the historic objects, which include fossils, bones and skulls from the museum’s world-famous collection.

Hold The World represents the first time these technologies have been combined in this way and will offer people the opportunity to explore one of the world’s top cultural institutions in a brand-new way.

Attenborough said: "Hold The World offers people a unique opportunity; to examine rare objects, some millions of years old, up close. It represents an extraordinary new step in how people can explore and experience nature, all from the comfort of their own homes and I am delighted to be able to help users uncover some of the treasures the Natural History Museum has to offer in a thrilling new way."

Gary Davey, Managing Director for content at Sky added: “Virtual reality is all about experiencing things you could only ever dream of in real life. So in this ground-breaking new experience from Sky, people can handle precious dinosaur fossils and delicate insects with a holographic Sir David Attenborough as their guide. We’re delighted to be bringing together this world-best technology and Sir David, a legend on all things nature, to make this ambitious project a reality.”  

Hold The World will start production later this year.