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Boaty McBoatface lives, the Evening Standard can reveal - as a high-tech sub on board the new polar research ship which will be named after Sir David Attenborough.

In a victory for the Evening Standard’s campaign to honour Britain’s favourite broadcaster and environmentalist at his 90th birthday, the mother ship will be named Royal Research Ship Sir David Attenborough.

But in an elegant compromise, Science Minister Jo Johnson announces today that the humorous name which topped an internet poll will be emblazoned on a remotely operated undersea vehicle that will explore the deepest waters of the Antarctic.

An emotional Sir David, who turns 90 on Sunday, said he felt “truly honoured” to lend his name to the £200 million mother ship which will contain the world’s most advanced seaborne laboratory designed to unravel the mysteries of the world’s most remote seas.

“I am truly honoured by this naming decision and hope that everyone who suggested a name will feel just as inspired to follow the ship’s progress as it explores our polar regions,” he said.

“I have been privileged to explore the world’s deepest oceans alongside amazing teams of researchers, and with this new polar research ship they will be able to go further and discover more than ever before.”

Mr Johnson also announced plans to build on the interest on polar science stirred by the naming competition.

He said the Government will invest up to £1 million in a new Polar Explorer Programme to engage young people and inspire the scientists, engineers and explorers of the future.

As the biggest commercial shipbuilding contract in Britain, the construction of RRS Sir David Attenborough is supporting 400 jobs and 60 apprenticeships.

The ship will sail in 2019 for the Antarctic, the icy world that was opened up to an awed global audience by Sir David’s 1993 series Life in the Freezer.

The campaign to honour Sir David for “opening Britain’s eyes” to the natural world was backed by two former Environment Secretaries, two former Culture Secretaries and polar explorer Dan Byles.

And last night actress and wildlife campaigner Virginia McKenna added her voice, saying he had “inspired millions”.

The star of Born Free went on: “I can think of no more fitting way to recognise his outstanding contribution than by naming the UK’s new Polar research ship after him.”

Sir David’s books and documentaries span a remarkable seven decades, with each work hallmarked by his blend of compelling narrative and thorough scientific knowledge.

Mr Johnson said: “The public provided some truly inspirational and creative names, and while it was a difficult decision I’m delighted that our state-of-the-art polar research ship will be named after one of the nation’s most cherished broadcasters and natural scientists.

“This vessel will carry the Attenborough name for decades to come, as it fulfils its mission to explore the oceans and put Britain at the forefront of efforts to preserve our precious marine environment.

“The ship has captured the imaginations of millions, which is why we’re ensuring that the Boaty name lives on through the sub-sea vehicle that will support the research crew, and the polar science education programme that will bring their work to life.”

More than 124,000 people voted to call the ship RRS Boaty McBoatface after a social media “joke” went viral.

The name RRS Poppy-Mai - after a 16-month-old girl with terminal cancer - came second with 34,371 votes.

They were followed by the more conventional RRS Henry Worsley, which commemorates the Antarctic explorer, with 15,231 votes; the spoof suggestion RRS It’s Bloody Cold Here with 10,679 votes, and RRS David Attenborough with 10,284 votes.

Now the parliamentary Science and Technology Committee will quiz bosses from the National Environmental Research Council about the competition and whether there was what chairwoman Nicola Blackwood called a “McVolte-face” on the name.