Acting, birding, painting, and humour were among the many talents of the esteemed nature broadcaster Bill Oddie, who passed away at the age of 85.
However, Oddie is also known by followers of Steve Coogan’s comedy character Alan Partridge as a constant source of inspiration for the fictional media presenter from Norfolk.
Every episode of the first season of I’m Alan Partridge included Oddie, who was frequently presented as a celebrity buddy of Partridge. Oddie would eventually be addressed in numerous other ventures, such as Partridge’s fictitious book Nomad and the following television series Alan Partridge’s Mid Morning Matters.
In 2013, the late Springwatch host made a joke to The Independent about Coogan’s interest, saying, “Anything I can do to discredit the idea that I have even heard of Mr. Partridge, let alone befriended him, is most welcome.”
“Do you know, a good number of people have asked the very same thing!” Coogan said in response to a question about what it’s like to be framed as a thorn in the side of his comedy creation. However, why should I feel angry about it? I don’t believe he’s setting me up, despite what other people have said.
Furthermore, it’s a praise even if he were. Partridge is a commendable performance.
Oddie disclosed that he had written to Coogan “twice, in fact,” enquiring about his reasons, but he had never received a response.
“There was not [a response]!” he exclaimed. “Bloody typical, huh? Alan isn’t there to answer when you call his bluff. I guess he believes he’s remaining true to himself.
Oddie has been mentioned in a variety of ways throughout Coogan’s work. For example, in one episode of I’m Alan Partridge, a phone message from a B Oddie is mistakenly classified as a prank call because it sounds like the word “body.” Other references to Oddie range from light-hearted to disturbing.
In an episode of Mid-Morning Matters, Partridge compares the presenter to “a bearded Catherine wheel scything through the crowd” and asks a Special Forces expert what he would do if Oddie led a terrorist attack by the RSPB (Royal Society for the Protection of Birds).
In 2016, Coogan wrote as Partridge in The Guardian about an instance where Oddie “pinned [Springwatch successor] Chris Packham to a wall,” only to discover that he was actually harassing Sue Barker after putting on his spectacles.
Partridge also stated in his memoir that Oddie taught him “how to remain still for long periods of time and go completely undetected in undergrowth and shrubbery,” which he used to spy on his wife Carol’s adultery.
Given Oddie’s background in comedy—he began with the Cambridge Footlights comedy organization before writing for and starring in shows like Sorry I’ll Read That Again and That Was the Week That Was—it might come as no surprise that he was able to handle the Alan Partridge association.
Between 1970 to 1982, Oddie led their own television program as a member of the popular comedic trio The Goodies, which also included Graeme Garden and the late Tim Brooke-Taylor.
“It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Bill Oddie, the country’s best-loved birder,” said friend and agent David Foster in a statement released earlier today, July 27.
The most popular birdwatcher and wildlife TV host in Britain, Bill Oddie, passed away on July 25. He was eighty-five.
His agent, David Foster, announced his passing in a statement that was reported by a number of British media sources.
“I regret to inform you of the demise of the nation’s most beloved birder, Bill Oddie.
As a wildlife presenter, broadcaster, comedian, writer, singer, musician, and conservationist, Bill was a multi-talented celebrity. However, he never valued fame.
Rather, he urged us to honour and safeguard the environment. He showed us how amazing it is. He advocated, lobbied, and staged protests. People of different ages and backgrounds answered his call as he led the way. And we shall never forget such a significant contribution to conservation.
As Bill’s agent, I was able to observe firsthand his wit and intelligence. It was an honour and a delight to represent him for so many years; he was a friend. He will be sorely missed. My heart and thoughts are with Bonnie, Kate, and Rosie, Bill’s daughters, and Laura, his wife, who have requested not to be contacted during this difficult time. Please honour their desires.
Oddie was a scriptwriter, musician, and comedian, but his BBC wildlife shows—particularly those that chronicle the UK’s bird life—are what made him most famous.
Springwatch, Autumnwatch, How to Watch Wildlife, Birding with Bill Oddie, Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie, and Bill Oddie Goes Wild are some of his BBC programs.
Like many others, Oddie’s career in entertainment started with the Cambridge Footlights sketch comedy troupe. One of the revues he saw there was so well-liked that it appeared on Broadway and in the West End in 1964. He also contributed to the BBC comedy series That Was the Week That Was during this time.
After meeting Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden at Footlights, Oddie went on to form The Goodies. After working on a number of TV and music projects, Oddie and Garden went on to spend ten years from 1970 to 1980 on IBBC’s sketch comedy show The Goodies. The show was brought back for a second season on ITV in 1982 after a special ran in 1981.
As a passionate birdwatcher, Oddie began contributing to BBC wildlife programs in the 1970s and went on to become one of the most popular and well-known presenters in the UK. In addition, he authored a number of books about birding and was featured in the 1985 Nature Watch Special: Bill Oddie – Bird Watcher. He was also a reliable voice in discussions concerning conservation in Britain.
In 2004, his BBC2 program Britain Goes Wild achieved a record-breaking 3.4 million viewers. Later on, the program was renamed Springwatch, and it is still a mainstay on the channel. The show was presented by him till 2008.
Oddie also became an unseen presence in the life of Alan Partridge, a fictional TV host played by Steve Coogan. Partridge frequently mentioned their peculiar association, which included Partridge getting dressing gowns and borrowing binoculars to spy on his estranged wife.