Bill Oddie’s friend and agent David Foster announced today (Monday, July 27) that the comedian who became “Britain’s favourite birdwatcher” had died at the age of 85.
Oddie’s first taste of fame came as part of the Cambridge Footlights, with their Edinburgh Festival Fringe revue show transferring to both London’s West End and Now York’s Broadway in 1964.
He appeared on a variety of television and radio shows before his big break came when he teamed up with Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor to create the television comedy series The Goodies, which ran from 1970-1982.
It was a huge hit and made stars of the trio, leading them to have a top five chart hit with The Funky Gibbon.
A lifelong birder, his hobby was to become his career when he pivoted to wildlife broadcasting in 1985 when was the subject of a 50-minute Nature Watch Special: Bill Oddie – Bird Watcher,
That led to him becoming a successful nature programmes for the BBC, peaking with Springwatch which regularly attracted audiences of more than four million people.
Here are 10 memorable quotes from the star over the years.
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9. Bill Oddie on...keeping diaries
"I have been keeping bird notebooks - sort of birdy diaries - for more than 50 years. Every now and then, I re-read what I wrote long ago, closing my eyes and re-living the experience all over again." | Getty Images
10. Bill Oddie on...Springwatch
"Up until two years ago I was never off the telly. Then I slipped into a depression. I was in and out of hospital for a year and diagnosed as bipolar. I have no idea what happens now. I haven't had any inquiries from the BBC about coming back to Springwatch. Normally if you're manic depressive you get your own series." | Getty Images