{"id":4979,"date":"2026-07-27T11:09:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T11:09:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=4979"},"modified":"2026-07-27T11:09:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T11:09:42","slug":"bill-oddie-wildlife-presenter-and-comedian-dies-at-85","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/relocationobserver.com\/?p=4979","title":{"rendered":"Bill Oddie, Wildlife Presenter and Comedian, Dies at 85"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nBill Oddie, the English comedian and conservationist known for hosting wildlife programs including BBC\u2019s \u201cSpringwatch,\u201d has died. He was 85.<\/p>\n

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\n\tOddie\u2019s agent, David Foster, confirmed his death in a statement to BBC News on Monday, calling him \u201cthe country\u2019s best-loved birder.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tFoster continued: \u201cBill was a multi-talented celebrity \u2014 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tOddie got his start on the TV comedy series \u201cThe Goodies\u201d alongside his Cambridge classmates Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden, which ran from 1970 to 1982. He then shifted to presenting and focused on his love of wildlife, specifically birds. He hosted a slew of successful nature programs for the BBC from the mid-80s to 2008, including \u201cBirding With Bill Oddie,\u201d \u201cBill Oddie Goes Wild,\u201d \u201cSpringwatch,\u201d \u201cAutumnwatch\u201d and more.<\/p>\n

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\n\tBorn on July 7, 1941, in Rochdale, Lancashire, England, Oddie moved to Birmingham at a young age and was raised by his father and grandmother. He went on to study English literature at Cambridge University, and it was there that he became interested in comedy, appearing in several productions of the sketch comedy troupe Footlights. <\/p>\n

\n\tIn the late \u201960s, he began his venture into show business as a key member of the BBC radio program \u201cI\u2019m Sorry, I\u2019ll Read That Again,\u201d on which several of his musical compositions were featured. After writing and performing on comedy series including \u201cTwice a Fortnight\u201d and \u201cBroaden Your Mind,\u201d Oddie got his big break with \u201cThe Goodies,\u201d known for its surreal sketches and situational comedy. In addition to writing and acting on the series, Oddie wrote all the music including co-penning the show\u2019s theme song.<\/p>\n

\n\tIn the mid-\u201980s, Oddie became increasingly interested in wildlife, drawing from his lifelong passion of birdwatching. This kickstarted the second phase of his career, in which he became a beloved nature presenter known for programs including \u201cOddie in Paradise\u201d (1985), \u201cBirding With Bill Oddie\u201d (1997-1998, 2000), \u201cBill Oddie Goes Wild\u201d (2001-2003), \u201cBill Oddie\u2019s How to Watch Wildlife\u201d (2005-2006), \u201cSpringwatch\u201d (2005-2008), \u201cAutumnwatch\u201d (2006-2008) and \u201cBill Oddie\u2019s Wild Side\u201d (2008).<\/p>\n

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\n\tIn 2003, he was made an OBE for his services to wildlife conservation.<\/p>\n

\n\tOddie is survived by his wife Laura and daughters Bonnie, Kate and Rosie.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bill Oddie, the English comedian and conservationist known for hosting wildlife programs including BBC’s “Springwatch,” has died. 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