Bill Oddie, Goodies star and beloved wildlife presenter, dies at 85

Bill Oddie, the British comedian who became one of the country's most recognisable wildlife presenters, has died at the age of 85. His agent, David Foster, confirmed that Oddie died on Saturday, with the announcement made on Monday 27 July 2026.

Early life and comedy roots

Born William Edgar Oddie on 7 July 1941 in Rochdale, Lancashire, he developed an early passion for birdwatching; a record of one of his first observations was published in a West Midlands Bird Club journal in 1956. His father was an accountant and his mother suffered from schizophrenia, spending long periods in hospital. Oddie studied English literature at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he joined the Footlights, the university's celebrated comedy club. His revue A Clump of Plinths was a hit at the 1963 Edinburgh Festival and transferred to London's West End and New York's Broadway the following year. During this period he also wrote material for the satirical BBC show That Was The Week That Was and later became a regular on the radio sketch series I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again.

The Goodies and chart success

In 1970 Oddie teamed up with fellow Footlights alumni Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden to create The Goodies, an anarchic television comedy that blended slapstick, stop-motion, and musical numbers. The trio travelled on a three-seater "trandem" bicycle, taking on absurd assignments for their agency. The show ran on the BBC until 1982, with a final ITV Christmas special and series, and earned household name status in Australia and New Zealand. Oddie's songwriting also propelled the group into the pop charts: The Funky Gibbon reached the top five.

A second act in wildlife

A lifelong birder, Oddie turned his hobby into a full-time career. In 1985 he was the subject of a Nature Watch Special, which opened the door to a string of BBC nature programmes. He presented Birding with Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie Goes Wild, and the hugely popular Springwatch, which regularly drew audiences of more than four million. He also fronted Autumnwatch and authored several books, including Bill Oddie's Little Black Bird Book and Birdwatching with Bill Oddie.

Conservation and campaigning

Oddie was a respected ornithologist who served on the councils of the RSPB, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, and the World Wide Fund for Nature. He was president of the Northumberland Wildlife Trust and represented many other nature organisations. In his statement, Foster said:

“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.”

Personal struggles and family

Oddie spoke openly about his battles with depression, which led to several hospital admissions. During one stay he suffered severe lithium poisoning from his treatment. He is survived by his wife Laura and daughters Bonnie, Kate and Rosie, who have asked for privacy.