Wildlife presenter and comedian Bill Oddie dies at 85

Wildlife presenter and comedian Bill Oddie dies at 85 Wildlife presenter and comedian Bill Oddie died on Saturday at the age of 85 Wildlife presenter and comedian Bill Oddie has died aged 85. His agent broke the news, paying tribute to the “intelligence and wit” of “Britain’s “best-loved birder”. Oddie was best known as a naturalist, conservationist, and television presenter on wildlife issues. Though he first rose to fame in the 1970s as part of the comedy trio The Goodies, alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden. A statement from his friend and agent David Foster said: “It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Bill Oddie, the country’s best-loved birder. Bill was a multi-talented celebrity – wildlife presenter, broadcaster, comedian, writer, songwriter, musician and conservationist. “Yet it was never fame that he valued. Instead he encouraged us to respect and protect the environment. “He taught us the wonder of it. He protested, lobbied and campaigned for it. He led the way and people of all ages and backgrounds responded to his call. And such a massive contribution to conservation will never be forgotten. “As Bill’s agent I witnessed close hand his intelligence and wit. He was my friend and it was an honour and a privilege to represent him for so many years. I will miss him terribly." He leaves behind wife Laura and daughters Bonnie, Kate and Rosie. After his early fame as a comic, Oddie later fronted numerous BBC wildlife series including Birding with Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie Goes Wild, and early seasons of Springwatch and Autumnwatch. He was sacked from Springwatch in 2008, calling the BBC 'bloody b*stards' over the decision. He was dismissed after a complaint was made about his behaviour during the filming of a segment in Dorset, the precise details of which have never come to light. "I never had a proper explanation," he told The Daily Mirror. "I was called in and told: 'We won't be asking you to make any more programmes'." The broadcaster had long suffered with mental health problems and was diagnosed as bipolar in 2010. He said at the time of his sacking: "Unfortunately my bipolar element had come into it and I could be very tetchy, I don't mind admitting." In 2012, Oddie revealed that his sacking caused a decline in his mental health. He said he almost took his own life on two occasions and ended up spending a year in hospital recovering from clinical depression. He was replaced by Chris Packham, who still presents both Autumnwatch and Springwatch today. The presenter has stayed out of the spotlight in recent years, but told fans in 2020 he had been seriously ill. After a period of silence, he shared: "Just so you know, I have been very ill most of this summer. Lithium toxicity. Almost fatal! "I am still here but very confused about most things! But then aren't many of us. IT fuddles my brain. Confusion." Lithium toxicity is a condition brought on by having too much lithium and symptoms include: tremor, increased reflexes, trouble walking, kidney problems, and an altered level of consciousness. Bill Oddie's career from comedian to nature presenter A birdwatcher since his childhood in Birmingham, Oddie was a respected ornithologist. He was a council member of the RSPB, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and The Worldwide Fund for Nature. He was also president of The Northumberland Wildlife Trust and represented many other nature organisations. His comic career began in Cambridge Footlights, when he started writing for shows including That Was The Week That Was. He went on to write and appear on numerous programmes including I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again, which featured many of his comic songs. He first found fame as a member of The Goodies and the trio earned household name status in Australia and New Zealand, as the television comedy show attracted millions of viewers in its heyday. His songs led the Goodies to several major chart hits, most notably The Funky Gibbon. He continued to work with his fellow Goodies on programmes including Bananaman, before turning his attention to nature shows. Personal life and mental health struggles Oddie spoke openly about suffering from crippling depression, and he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 2009 after being dropped from the BBC show Springwatch, of which he was one of the original presenters. He was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition where depressive periods alternate with manic activity. Speaking in 2014, he said he still felt a lingering sadness that his days on Springwatch were cut short, and he rarely watched the programme. He said: “I very much miss it, but when I do see it, it brings back many happy memories and I like to think I contributed to its success. “It’s still so well loved and helps encourage people to enjoy the natural world. That’s all to the good because I fear so many people wear earphones for their phones and music players that increasingly they miss out on everyday joys like birdsong. “My plea to people would be to ‘go naked’ occasionally – take off those earpieces so you hear nature and, of course, birdsong. You may not realise how precious it is until it’s gone.” In 1966, Bill married Jeanne Hart, and share two, actress Kate Hardie, 58, and choreographer Bonnie Oddie. Following their divorce, he married visual artist Laura Beaumont in 1983, and they have daughter, 41-year-old musician Rosie - also known as Rosie Bones. Springwatch tributes Producer Stephen Moss – who worked with Bill Oddie for more than 10 years on shows including Springwatch – has paid tribute to the presenter. He told the Press Association: “He was the only true genius I ever worked with.” He added: “He had a way of engaging with the public that was extraordinary. He was quite a shy man. And when we were filming, people would sometimes sidle up to me and say, ‘you know what? Do you mind telling Bill that we really love his programmes?’.”He continued: “But people didn’t just love him, he changed their lives … that is one of his many legacies.”