Bill Oddie was “one of the first and bravest people” to speak about mental health, and “made the natural world everybody’s world”, according to his Springwatch co-host Kate Humble. News of the wildlife presenter’s death at the age of 85 was announced by his agent on Monday. The TV star, who found fame in the 1970s as a member of comic trio The Goodies alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden, died on Saturday.
Springwatch memories
Oddie, Humble and Simon King were the original presenting line-up of Springwatch when the show launched in 2005. Speaking to BBC Radio 4’s The World At One, Humble recalled how Oddie could “tell stories like no-one else”. She said: “He drove me completely mad…there were times where I could have gone to prison for murdering a national treasure. But no-one could tell a story like Bill or make me laugh like Bill or enthuse anyone, whoever they were, to go outside and get excited about a robin. He had that way of making the natural world everybody’s world and I think that’s what we all loved about him.”
Mental health advocacy
Humble said Oddie would “talk very openly about his struggles with mental health”. “Sometimes he’d be fantastically grumpy and the last person I wanted to see in the morning, and other times he would be the best company in the world,” she said. “He was one of the earliest, bravest people to say, ‘no this is something I have and something that I have to deal with and that my family has to deal with’. It was really tough for him, and I was witness to that – but he was always very honest and straightforward. In the end there was no-one who could make me laugh like he could.” She added that the natural world “gave him terrified respite and allowed him to quieten his mind”.
Agent and BBC statements
A statement from Oddie’s 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 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. As Bill’s agent I witnessed at close hand his intelligence and wit. He was my friend and it was an honour and a privilege to represent him for so many years. I will miss him terribly. My thoughts and love are with Bill’s wife, Laura, and his daughters Bonnie, Kate and Rosie, who have asked not to be contacted at this sad time. Please respect their wishes.”
The BBC said: “We are saddened to hear the news about the death of Bill Oddie. Bill had a long association with the BBC and was a much-loved comedian, naturalist and broadcaster. His career spanned generations, from being a member of comedy trio The Goodies right through to embracing his passion for the natural world and establishing himself as one of the UK’s best known wildlife presenters. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”
Career highlights
A birdwatcher since his childhood in Birmingham, Oddie was a respected ornithologist. He was a council member of the RSPB, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and The Worldwide Fund for Nature. He was also president of The Northumberland Wildlife Trust and represented many other nature organisations. He also wrote a number of books on birds and other wildlife topics. His comic career began in the Cambridge Footlights, when he started writing for shows including That Was The Week That Was. He went on to write and appear on numerous programmes including I’m Sorry I’ll Read That Again, which featured many of his comic songs. He first found fame as a member of The Goodies and the trio became household names in Australia and New Zealand, as the television comedy show attracted millions of viewers in its heyday. His songs led The Goodies to several major chart hits, most notably The Funky Gibbon. He continued to work with his fellow Goodies on programmes including Bananaman, before turning his attention to nature shows.
Mental health struggles
Oddie spoke openly about suffering from crippling depression, and he was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 2009 after being dropped from Springwatch. He was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition where depressive periods alternate with manic activity. Speaking in 2014, he said he still felt a lingering sadness that his days on the BBC show were cut short, and he rarely watched the programme. He said: “I very much miss it, but when I do see it, it brings back many happy memories and I like to think I contributed to its success. It’s still so well loved and helps encourage people to enjoy the natural world. That’s all to the good because I fear so many people wear earphones for their phones and music players that increasingly they miss out on everyday joys like birdsong. My plea to people would be to ‘go naked’ occasionally – take off those earpieces so you hear nature and, of course, birdsong. You may not realise how precious it is until it’s gone.”
