Bill Oddie, the beloved wildlife presenter who fronted the BBC's Springwatch alongside Kate Humble, has died at the age of 85. His death was announced on Monday, July 27, prompting an outpouring of tributes from viewers.
Axed from Springwatch
Oddie hosted the hit series from 2005 to 2008 before being dropped by the broadcaster. Initially presented as a mutual decision, rumours later emerged that his exit followed complaints about his behaviour during filming, which were later linked to his undiagnosed bipolar disorder.
Ten years after his departure, Oddie reflected on his dismissal in a furious tirade, branding the BBC "bloody b******s." He admitted: "I never had a proper explanation. I was called in and told, 'We won’t be asking you to make any more programmes.'" Reports indicated that viewers had complained about his "smutty" voiceover comments during wildlife mating scenes.
Bipolar diagnosis and BBC response
In 2010, Oddie was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. He told the Mirror: "Unfortunately, my bipolar element had come into it and I could be very tetchy." The BBC later issued a statement saying: "We wish Mr Oddie a speedy recovery," but Oddie remained unconvinced, claiming "They didn't give a damn," and again called the BBC "bloody b******s."
Oddie, who began his career with the comedy troupe The Goodies, also criticised the BBC over pay. He claimed that after the trio switched broadcasters in 1980, they earned as much in one year at ITV as in three at the BBC.
Mental health struggles
The aftermath of his Springwatch exit was severe. Oddie candidly shared that it sparked a decline in his mental health, leading to two suicide attempts. He subsequently spent a year in hospital recovering from clinical depression.
In 2015, he told The Guardian he had "inherited the same genetic flaw" as his mother, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia but may have also had bipolar disorder. Oddie added: "When it was suggested to me that she might have been bipolar, a million bells rang in my head because I was heading the same way."
Legacy and replacement
After Oddie's departure, Chris Packham took over as host of Springwatch and its sister show Autumnwatch. Oddie's death has prompted an emotional response from viewers who remembered the star fondly on social media.
