Bill Oddie, Britain’s most beloved birdwatcher and wildlife TV presenter, has died aged 85.
His death was confirmed by his agent, David Foster, in at a statement carried by several British news outlets.
“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, who have asked not to be contacted at this sad time. Please respect their wishes.”
Oddie is best known for his BBC wildlife programs, especially those tracking the UK’s bird life, but he was also a script writer, composer and comedian.
His BBC shows include Springwatch, Autumnwatch, How to Watch Wildlife, Birding with Bill Oddie, Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie and Bill Oddie Goes Wild.
Oddie’s career in entertainment began, like many others, in the Cambridge Footlights sketch comedy group. While he was there, one revue was so popular that it played in the West End and on Broadway in 1964. Around this time, he also contributed to BBC comedy series That Was the Week That Was.
Oddie went on to form The Goodies with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden, whom he had met at Footlights. They worked on various TV and music projects, with Oddie and Garden later spending ten years on IBBC’s The Goodies sketch comedy show between 1970 and 1980. A special later ran in 1981 and the show was revived for another season in 1982 on ITV.
As an avid birder, Oddie behan contributing to BBC wildlife shows in the 1970 and went to become one of the UK’s most well-known and beloved presenters in the genre. He also wrote several books on birdwatching and was a trusted voice in debates about conservation in Britain, and subject on 1985 special Nature Watch Special: Bill Oddie – Bird Watcher.
His BBC2 show, Britain Goes Wild, set a channel ratings record of 3.4 million viewers in 2004. The show was later renamed Springwatch, which remains a staple on the channel. He presented the show until 2008.
Oddie became an unseen fixture in the life Steve Coogan’s fictional TV presenter Alan Partridge, who consistently referred to their unusual friendship, which included Partridge receiving dressing gowns and borrowing binoculars to spy on his estranged wife.
