Bill Oddie, Comedian and Naturalist, Dies at 85

Bill Oddie, the renowned British comedian and naturalist, passed away at the age of 85. He was born on 7 July 1941 in Rochdale, Lancashire, and pursued English studies at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he became a member of the Footlights Club alongside Graeme Garden and Tim Brooke-Taylor. Oddie contributed to David Frost's That Was the Week That Was and starred in the 1964 review A Clump of Plinths. Together with Garden and Brooke-Taylor, he co-created The Goodies, which aired on BBC Television during the 1970s, with the episode Kitten Kong winning the Silver Rose at the 1972 Montreux TV Festival. A prolific songwriter, his hit Funky Gibbon reached number four in the UK charts. His dedication to birdwatching led to a successful career as a naturalist and presenter, featuring in programs like Birding with Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie Goes Wild, and Springwatch (2005-2008). Oddie was also an advocate against the illegal ivory trade and supported the Green Party. He struggled with bipolar disorder and faced severe lithium poisoning from treatment. He is survived by his second wife, Laura Beaumont.