Viewers were left swooning by the love story of ‘two shrimps trapped in a sponge’ during another fascinating episode of Blue Planet II.
Sir David Attenborough stunned fans with the transformation of a transgender fish in the debut of his eagerly anticipated series.
But the veteran broadcaster did not fail to disappoint in tonight’s episode as viewers were plunged into the mysterious world of the deep.
It was here the life of the weird and wonderful Venus’ flower basket sponge and two of its residents was revealed.
The weird and wonderful Venus’ flower basket (pictured) is a deep-sea sponge which harbours a pair of shrimp
The shrimp had been swept into the tower of the deep-sea sponge as larvae and took sanctuary in its protective walls. The pair then grew into adults and procreated.
But unlike their young, which will eventually float through the holes in the sponge’s walls, the adults are trapped by their size.
Viewers were charmed by unconventional love story, claiming it was a tale only Sir David could make ‘romantic’.
One wrote: ‘Only David Attenborough could find a shrimp love story in a sponge #BluePlanet2’
Another posted: ‘How does Attenborough turn a story of two shrimp living in a sponge into an emotive family story? Such an extraordinary talent #BluePlanet2’
One said: ‘Shrimp romance and ocean farts… blue planet has outdone themselves!’
The shrimp were swept into the sponge as larvae and took sanctuary in its protective walls
While the shrimps larvae will swim out of the sponge through the holes in its walls, the adults will be trapped inside
Another fan wrote: ‘No one but Attenborough could get me this emotional over a love story between two shrimp trapped in a sponge, #BluePlanet2’
One view quipped: ‘That shrimp story on #BluePlanet2 was heart breaking. Is there a charity for trapped shrimps I can donate to?’
Another posted: ‘Only Sir David can get you emotional invested in a shrimp stuck in a sponge #BluePlanet2’
One said: ‘Why is a lovely shrimp couple trapped inside a sponge making me cry?! #BluePlanet2’
One fan wrote: ‘Last week it was the walrus clutching her baby and this week it was the shrimp couple trapped in the sea sponge for eternity #BluePlanet2’
Another fan said: ‘How am I supposed to sleep tonight knowing that those shrimp will never, ever escape from that sponge. #BluePlanet2’
Blue Planet II features seven one-hour episodes, with different marine worlds explored across every ocean and five dedicated to a specific area of the sea.
From the intense heat of the tropics to the frozen Poles, from our coastlines to the deepest parts of the ocean, the series explores different marine worlds and the challenges they present for the creatures that live there.
The filming of Blue Planet has involved around 1,000 people from producers to deep sea divers, researchers to scientists, camera crews to helicopter pilots and drone operators.
Some 125 expeditions were undertaken across every ocean, with 1,500 days spent at sea and 6,000 hours underwater.
Speaking to the Daily Mail about his new series, Sir David said he couldn’t believe that at the age of 91, he was still discovering fresh revelations about the planet he’s spent his life documenting.
‘Blue Planet II reveals untold stories from magical worlds as new technology allows us to voyage deeper than ever before,’ he said.
Blue Planet II continues on BBC One this Sunday at 8pm, with the second of seven episodes due to be shown