British television presenter, comedian and wildlife campaigner Bill Oddie has died at the age of 85, his agent has announced.
Oddie rose to national fame in the 1970s as a member of the comedy trio The Goodies before becoming one of the UK’s most recognisable wildlife broadcasters.
He later served as one of the original presenters of the BBC’s Springwatch and fronted several programmes dedicated to birdwatching and nature conservation.
In a statement, 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.”
Foster continued that Oddie “taught us the wonder of” the environment. “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.”
Paying tribute, Oddie’s former Springwatch co-host Kate Humble told BBC Radio 4’s The World At One: “No-one could tell a story like Bill.
No-one could make me laugh like Bill. No-one could enthuse anyone, whoever they were, to go outside and get excited about a robin.
“He just had that way of just making the natural world everybody’s world, and I think that’s what we all loved about him.”
Humble said Oddie’s interests stretched far beyond wildlife.
“He was so interested in so many things. He wasn’t just the nerdy birder, or the funny, slightly irascible comedian, or the brilliant musician. He was all of those things. And he was always interested in everything.”
She added, “Sometimes he’d be fantastically grumpy and would be the last person I’d want to see first thing in the morning, and other times he would just be the best company in the world, and he talked very openly about his struggles with mental health.”
Jo Rowland, chief executive of the RSPCA, also honoured Oddie’s legacy.
“I know many of our wildlife rescuers were inspired into animal welfare by Bill’s groundbreaking broadcasting work and incredible knowledge of British birds, which brought the wonders of nature into millions of homes across the country.
“Nature has lost one of its best friends, fiercest champions and most iconic defenders. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the countless people he inspired to spend time birdwatching, to cherish nature, and to build a kinder world for animals.”
Born in Rochdale, England, Oddie spent much of his childhood in Birmingham before studying at Cambridge University, where he joined the renowned Footlights comedy troupe.
Even before graduating, he had begun writing for television, contributing to the satirical programme That Was The Week That Was in the early 1960s.
He later wrote for and appeared in shows including I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again, At Last the 1948 Show, Twice a Fortnight and Doctor in The House, frequently collaborating with comedy greats such as John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden.
The Goodies debuted in 1970, with the trio entertaining audiences for more than a decade through their slapstick humour and eccentric musical performances.
Oddie also penned novelty hits including The Funky Gibbon and The Inbetweenies, both of which reached the UK top 10.
Beyond comedy, Oddie became one of Britain’s best-known champions of wildlife, presenting programmes such as Birding with Bill Oddie, Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie and Bill Oddie’s How to Watch Wildlife. His contribution to conservation earned him an OBE in 2003.
He co-hosted the first four series of the BBC’s Springwatch from 2005 before leaving the programme in 2009.
Following his departure, Oddie revealed he endured “probably the worst 12 months of my life” while battling depression and bipolar disorder.
Reflecting on his openness, Humble said Oddie was among the first public figures to discuss mental illness candidly.
“He was one of the earliest, bravest people to say, ‘No, this is something that I have, and this is something that I have to deal with, and my family has to deal with,’ and it was really tough for him,” she said.
“I was witness to that, but he was always very honest and straightforward and in the end, as I say, there was no-one who could make me laugh like Bill.”
Actor and birdwatcher Samuel West also paid tribute on X, recalling the influence of Birding With Bill Oddie.
“Bill Oddie wore a great learning lightly, but he could never hide his enthusiasm,” West said.
“His captivated, always improvised narration made that show the platonic ideal of natural history for me, and introduced a whole generation to the fascination of birds.”
Naturalist and author Stephen Moss described Oddie as the man who “did more than anyone to popularise birding”.
“Very sad news of the death of Bill Oddie: birder, comedian, musician, artist and environmental campaigner, and dear friend and colleague to me and many others,” Moss wrote.
Oddie is survived by his wife, children’s television writer and artist Laura Beaumont, their daughter Rosie, and daughters Bonnie and Kate from his first marriage to singer and actress Jean Hart.
