Britain’s ‘best-loved birder’ Bill Oddie has died aged 85.
The wildlife presenter, conservationist and comedian first found fame as a member of The Goodies, alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden, and wrote for a succession of hit shows including That Was The Week That Was.
But he became while pursuing his passion for wildlife on television, as well as campaigning on green issues and raising awareness of mental health due to his own battles with depression and bipolar disorder.
Oddie, who was born in Rochdale but raised in Birmingham, was beloved by generations of viewers, particularly for his work on Springwatch and Autumnwatch, Birding with Bill Oddie and Bill Oddie Goes Wild.
The broadcaster’s last TV appearance was on Celebrity Britain by Barge in 2020, alongside Pete Waterman, Anne Diamond and Jennie Bond.
That year, he almost died after being poisoned by lithium, which he took to manage the mental health problems that led to a number of admissions to psychiatric hospitals, including after he was dropped from Springwatch by the BBC.
He said the BBC’s decision still pained him years on and meant he could no longer bear to watch the show he loved.
His agent today paid tribute to his friend’s ‘intelligence and wit’ following his death. Oddie is survived by his wife Laura and his three daughters Bonnie, Kate and Rosie.
The last photo of the birder was posted on Instagram by his youngest daughter, Rosie, a musician, in a happy birthday post to her partner in September 2020.
A smiling Bill is shown raising a cup next to his wife and daughter.
Bill Oddie – Britain’s best loved birder – has died at the age of 85
Bill, pictured right in 1973, first found fame with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden as part of The Goodies
Bill Oddie and his wife, Laura in the garden of their Hampstead home. He had three daughters – two from his first marriage and a third from his marriage to Laura
Bill with Springwatch and Autumnwatch co-star Kate Humble. Mr Oddie rarely watched the programme due to the grief of being dropped from the BBC show in 2009
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.
‘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.
‘My thoughts and love are with Bill’s wife, Laura, and his daughters Bonnie, Kate and Rosie.’
A birdwatcher since childhood in Birmingham, Oddie was a respected ornithologist who became a popular broadcaster, renowned for his passion for nature and his gravelly yet gentle Brummie accent
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.
In addition, he wrote a number of books on birds and other wildlife topics.
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.
Bill Oddie pictured in his ‘Man of the Year’ portrait in 1964
The Goodies pictured together in 1981
Mr Oddie’s breakthrough came in comedy but he moved into wildlife TV, he’s great passion
Mr Oddie said in 2020 he was ‘knocking on Heaven’s door’ for almost a year after getting lithium poisoning
In 1966, Oddie married Jeanne Hart and they had two daughters, Bonnie and Kate. They later divorced.
In 1983, Oddie married Laura Beaumont-Giles. They had a daughter, Rosie.
Bill struggled with mental health issues throughout his life.
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 2020 he almost died after being poisoned by lithium he took to treat his bipolar and stabilise his mood.
In September that year he said he had 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. Will I return? I Really dunno. I do hope so. Please wish me luck. XX.’
He had tried to take his own life twice and said that his depression was genetic, passed down on his mother’s side.
The crippling depression which saw him admitted to psychiatric hospital in 2009 – after he was dropped from Springwatch – abated in recent years, he said.
In 2014 he said he was afflicted with another problem – particularly difficult for a birder – he was going deaf. His eyesight also became poor in his fifties.
‘I first noticed it when I was out on Hampstead Heath bird watching.
‘I was stood with a friend who said a meadow pipit was going over – it makes a soft ‘seep’ sound – but I couldn’t hear it.
‘My friend said the call was quite loud and I suddenly realised that my hearing had gone. I hadn’t suspected it at all before then but I went home and tested it by playing other high pitched bird call recordings and I couldn’t hear them either.’
His comic career began in Cambridge Footlights, when he started writing for shows including That Was The Week That Was
Describing his mental health he said: ‘I’ve been fortunate enough that I’ve been absolutely fine for years now and have had a good stretch.
‘I’m still on medication – lithium for the bipolar and an antidepressant which I have been on for about 10 years. It is the lithium that made the difference. Once you take something like that basically you stick with it unless you absolutely don’t need it anymore. That’s the same whether it’s psychological or physical; nobody wants to be on medication but if you know it helps and is keeping you going, why give it up?
‘I’ve got friends determined to come off whatever medication they’re on who keep causing themselves problems as they relapse – that sort of purism can be very destructive.
He added: ‘It’s undeniable that being outdoors and having an interest in the outdoors is good for mental health in general.
‘There’s no doubt that being involved with nature is good for you.’
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