Overview
- Bill Oddie’s death was confirmed by his agent David Foster, who said Oddie died on Saturday, July 25 and was 85 years old.
- Oddie rose to fame in the 1970s as one third of the comedy trio The Goodies and later became a household name presenting BBC nature shows such as Birding With Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie Goes Wild, Springwatch and Autumnwatch.
- He was a prominent conservation advocate who served with bodies including the RSPB, Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and WWF, and received an OBE in 2003 for services to wildlife.
- Oddie spoke publicly about long-term mental health struggles, including depression and a bipolar diagnosis, and survived a serious lithium poisoning incident in 2020.
- Tributes have poured in from the BBC, fellow presenters and conservation figures, the family has requested privacy, and colleagues say his work helped popularise birdwatching for new generations.