TV presenter, comedian and naturalist Bill Oddie has died at the age of 85, his agent David Foster announced. Oddie found fame in the 1970s as part of the anarchic comedy trio The Goodies, before becoming one of the best-known faces of British wildlife broadcasting, notably as an original host of BBC's Springwatch. Foster described him as "the country's best-loved birder", noting his wide-ranging talents as a presenter, writer, songwriter, musician and conservationist who used his profile to campaign for the environment.

Born in Rochdale and raised in Birmingham, Oddie studied at Cambridge University, where he joined the Footlights comedy troupe alongside future stars including Monty Python's John Cleese, Michael Palin and Terry Jones. He wrote for shows such as That Was The Week That Was before forming The Goodies with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden in 1970. His former Springwatch co-host Kate Humble and RSPCA chief executive Jo Rowland both paid tribute, with Humble praising his storytelling and ability to make nature "everybody's world", while also noting his openness about his struggles with mental health.