Wildlife presenter and comedian Bill Oddie has died at the age of 85, his agent confirmed. Oddie was known as a naturalist, conservationist and television presenter on wildlife issues, but first rose to fame in the 1970s as part of the comedy trio The Goodies alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden.
He co-wrote and starred in the surreal BBC sketch show, which featured the chart-topping novelty song Funky Gibbon. Oddie later fronted numerous BBC wildlife series including Birding with Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie Goes Wild, and early seasons of Springwatch and Autumnwatch.
BBC Wildlife Career
Oddie was sacked from Springwatch in 2008, calling the BBC 'bloody b*stards' over the decision. He was dismissed after a complaint was made about his behaviour during the filming of a segment in Dorset, the precise details of which have never come to light.
'I never had a proper explanation,' Oddie told The Daily Mirror. 'I was called in and told: "We won't be asking you to make any more programmes."'
Mental Health Struggles
The broadcaster had long suffered with mental health problems and was diagnosed as bipolar in 2010. He admitted of the time he was sacked from the show: 'Unfortunately my bipolar element had come into it and I could be very tetchy, I don't mind admitting.'
In 2012, Oddie revealed that his sacking caused a decline in his mental health which resulted in him almost taking his own life on two occasions. He said that he ended up spending a year in hospital recovering from clinical depression. Oddie was replaced on the show by Chris Packham, who still presents both Autumnwatch and Springwatch today.
