Bill Oddie, the legendary TV presenter and conservationist, has died aged 85, his agent confirmed.
Final Television Appearance
Oddie made his final television appearance six years ago in 2020 on Channel 5's six-part documentary series Celebrity Britain by Barge: Then and Now. During the show, he shared a narrowboat with Pete Waterman, exploring iconic inland waterways including the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Scottish canals near Falkirk, and the Grand Union Canal across Oxfordshire and Warwickshire. They were joined by Jennie Bond and Anne Diamond as the group discovered the joys of Britain's canal network. Throughout the trip, they learned about the historic role of Clydesdale horses and how pleasure boats began using the canals in the late 1800s.
Health Struggles Revealed
Just months after the series aired, in September 2020, Oddie revealed his health struggles on X, writing that he had been "very ill". He said: "Lithium toxicity. Almost fatal! I am still here but very confused about most things! But then aren't many of us." He added: "It fuddles my brain. Confusion. Will I return? I really dunno. I do hope so. Please wish me luck. XX." According to the NHS, lithium is prescribed to treat mood disorders such as mania and bipolar disorder.
Tributes from Fellow Stars
Oddie's death was confirmed by his agent, David Foster, who said: "It was an honour and a privilege to represent him for so many years. I will miss him terribly." Chris Packham, who replaced Oddie as the face of BBC Springwatch in 2009, described him as "delightfully unpredictable" and "an utter joy to be with." Packham recalled a special birdwatching moment: "I recall finding a black woodpecker in a damp Dutch park with him once. He gazed at it intently, sighed, put down his bins, turned to me and just smiled. A massive grin. No words, just a beautiful childlike bliss. That says all you need to know about Bill Oddie." Eric Idle, who met Oddie at Cambridge University, wrote: "I'm very sad Bill Oddie has gone. He was sick for some time and I wrote to him. He auditioned me for The Pembroke Revue in 1963 and I stepped into his roles for The Edinburgh Festival when the Cambridge Footlights went to the West End. We watched England win the World Cup together at Wembley in 66. He was a very fine songwriter and I learned a lot from him. I miss him." Director Edgar Wright hailed Oddie as a "comedy hero," saying The Goodies was "hugely influential" on him. Adrian Edmondson recalled how Oddie wrote to the cast of The Young Ones unprompted, wishing them well and "warning us against interference from higher up." Oddie is survived by his wife, Laura, and three daughters: Rosie, Kate, and Bonnie.
