Italy bids farewell to TV science popularizer Piero Angela

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 16 - Italy on Tuesday bade farewell to TV science popularizer Piero Angela, a national treasure often likened to Britain's David Attenborough.
    The body of Angela, who died Saturday aged 93, lay in state at the Capitol in Rome Tuesday morning and hundreds of people paid their respects.
    His funeral, which by his wishes will be non-religious, will take place later Tuesday.
    The Turin-born Angela was a television host, science journalist, writer, and pianist.
    He started as a radio reporter, then became a foreign correspondent, and established himself in the 1960s as the host of the RAI state broadcaster's main newscast.
    He is best known as the creator and presenter of broadcasting programs modelled on BBC and Attenborough documentaries, to whom he was often compared, and also for his scientific journalism published in numerous publications.
    His signature, long-running and seminal show Quark began in 1981 and he doubled up with Super Quark due to popular demand in the 1990s.
    Angela wrote thirty-three books, which sold over three million copies, received many honorary degrees, made over sixty documentaries and hundreds of television episodes, won seven Telegattos, and eight times won the national television directing award.
    Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime MInister Mario Draghi both called him a "great Italian" in their tributes at the weekend. (ANSA).