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ITV News Entertainment reporter Rishi Davda looks back at Bill Oddie’s career, after it was announced the comedian and wildlife presenter had died at the age of 85
Wildlife presenter and Goodies star Bill Oddie has died at the age of 85, his agent has said.
Oddie, who found fame in the 1970s as a member of comic trio The Goodies alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden, died on Saturday.
He went on to host programmes for the BBC, including Birding With Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie Goes Wild, Springwatch and Autumnwatch.
A statement from his friend and agent 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 was also president of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust and supported numerous other conservation organisations.”
Naturalist and TV presenter Chris Packham described Oddie as an “utter joy to be with”.
Paying tribute, he said: “Bill was invariably funny and occasionally furious. He loved birds and loathed those who harmed them.
“He was delightfully unpredictable, sparky, smart and at times a bit spiky.
“Sadly we’ve not only lost a goodie, we’ve lost one of the besties.”
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Oddie, who also wrote several books on birds and wildlife, started his comedy career with the Cambridge Footlights, before writing for programmes including That Was The Week That Was.
He went on to write and perform in a string of comedy shows, including I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again, which featured many of his comic songs.
He found national fame as one-third of The Goodies, with the trio becoming household names in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, attracting millions of viewers at its peak.
His songwriting helped The Goodies score several chart hits, most notably The Funky Gibbon. Bananaman, before focusing much of his career on wildlife broadcasting.
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