Bill Oddie, environmentalist and broadcaster, dies aged 85 | Bill Oddie

Writer, comedian and environmentalist Bill Oddie has died aged 85. After becoming famous with the comedy troupe The Goodies, Oddie later established himself as a wildlife warden, presenting television shows including Springwatch and Autumnwatch for the BBC.

Oddie’s agent paid tribute to his “intelligence and wisdom”. In a statement, David Foster said: “It is with great sadness that I announce the death of Bill Oddie, one of the country’s best-loved birders. Bill was a multi-talented artist – wildlife showman, broadcaster, comedian, author, songwriter, musician and conservationist.

“Instead, he encouraged us to respect and protect the environment. He taught us its wonders. He protested, advocated and campaigned for action. He led the way and people of all ages and cultures responded to his appeal.

“As Bill’s assistant, I witnessed his wisdom and wisdom up close. He was my friend and it was a privilege and a privilege to represent him for many years. I will miss him greatly.” My thoughts and love are with Bill’s wife, Laura, and his daughters Bonnie, Kate and Rosie, who have asked not to be contacted at this time of grief.

Oddie was born in Rochdale in Lancashire, and grew up in Birmingham, then studied at Cambridge University. It was in Cambridge that he met Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden, who formed the band The Goodies. Following various TV projects, Oddie continued to appear alongside Brooke-Taylor and Garden in the TV show The Goodies for 10 years between 1970 and 1980. The show was revived by ITV for a Christmas special in 1981 and a six-part series that aired in 1982.

As well as creating and performing musical numbers, including The Funky Gibbon and Black Pudding Bertha (Queen of Northern Soul), and The Goodies, Oddie’s musical career included a role in the English National Opera production of The Mikado in the late 1980s.

An avid birder, Oddie presented a television series in the 1970s and 1980s, continuing to present several wildlife shows for the BBC and publishing several conservation books.

Oddie suffered from depression and bipolar disorder. In 2015, He told the Guardian that “he inherited the same inheritance as his mother, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia but may also have bipolar disorder.

In September 2020, Oddie said on Twitter that “he was very sick this summer. Lithium poisoning. Almost fatal! I’m still here but very confused about many things! But then not many of us. It messes with my brain. Confusion. Am I going back? I don’t know. I don’t know. Please wish me well. XX. ” Lithium is installed as a permanent fixture.

Oddie is survived by his wife, Laura, and three daughters – Rosie, from his marriage to Laura, and Kate and Bonnie from his first marriage to jazz musician Jean Hart.