Boaty McBoatface should not be the name of a new £200 million polar research ship, according to Sir David Attenborough.
More than 124,000 people voted in a public poll, staged by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), backing the suggested name for the royal research ship (RRS).
The second place name - RRS Poppy-Mai - received just over 34,000 votes.
A suggestion to name the ship after veteran wildlife presenter Sir David came in fifth place with 10,284.
Sir David, 89, told the Guardian it was disappointing his name had not taken the top spot, but was flattered by the suggestion.
He said: “It’s a compliment of course, I don’t spurn a compliment and I’m very grateful. But I don’t think it’s of any consequence.”
Asked what he believed the vessel should be called, Sir David said: “I think they should call it something serious.
“I mean, words like discovery, endurance, victory, indomitable, looking at the Navy it’s got a great tradition of a lot of good names, you know?”
Despite topping the poll, science minister Jo Johnson, who has the final say over the naming of the boat, said he wants a name that “captures the spirit of scientific endeavour”.
NERC has always stated that the final decision about the ship’s name does not lie with the public, despite the poll.
The research ship will be the largest and most advanced in the UK when it becomes operational in 2019.
The 128 metre long ship will sail in the Arctic and Antarctic with a crew of 90 scientists and research staff.
