British comedian and wildlife presenter Bill Oddie passed away at the age of 85, as confirmed by his agent. Oddie rose to fame as part of the comedy trio The Goodies, alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden. The group’s quirky comedy show aired from 1970 to 1982 on BBC and was also broadcast in Canada by CBC.
Following his success in comedy, Oddie transitioned into hosting wildlife programs on the BBC, such as “Birding With Bill Oddie,” “Bill Oddie Goes Wild,” and “Springwatch.” Described as a multi-talented individual by his agent, Oddie was known for his work as a wildlife presenter, broadcaster, comedian, writer, songwriter, musician, and conservationist. He prioritized environmental conservation over fame.
Born in 1941 in Rochdale, England, Oddie pursued an education in English literature at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He was involved in the Cambridge Footlights, a renowned student comedy group, where he performed alongside future stars like John Cleese and Graham Chapman of Monty Python.
Oddie’s contributions were acknowledged by Eric Idle of Monty Python, who praised Oddie’s songwriting skills and shared personal anecdotes about him. His former comedy partner Tim Brooke-Taylor passed away in 2020.
Later in his career, Oddie turned his passion for birdwatching into a profession, hosting various wildlife shows and authoring books like “Bill Oddie’s Little Black Bird Book,” “Birdwatching with Bill Oddie,” and “Follow That Bird.” He is survived by his wife, Laura, and daughters Bonnie, Kate, and Rosie.