Bill Oddie , the English comedian, broadcaster, and conservationist best known for BBC wildlife programs, died at 85, his agent confirmed to BBC News on Monday, July 27, 2026. Oddie became a familiar face through shows including Springwatch , while using his platform to champion birds and environmental protection. Agent David Foster described Oddie as “the country’s best-loved birder” and said his impact extended far beyond television. Foster credited Oddie with encouraging people of all ages to respect nature, while protesting, lobbying, and campaigning for conservation causes. From Comedy Sketches to Birdwatching Oddie first became famous as part of the BBC comedy series The Goodies , which ran from 1970 to 1982 with Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden. After the show ended, Oddie redirected his career toward wildlife programming and turned his lifelong interest in birds into a television calling. From the mid 1980s through 2008, Oddie hosted programs including Birding With Bill Oddie , Bill Oddie Goes Wild , Springwatch , and Autumnwatch . Oddie is survived by his wife, Laura, and daughters Bonnie, Kate, and Rosie, leaving behind a rare legacy that connected comedy fame with hands-on conservation advocacy.