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Original poster

Bill Oddie has died. Aged 85.

45 replies

Zov · Yesterday 12:11

Sad news... Wildlife presenter and comedian Bill Oddie has died aged 85.
R.I.P. ❤

https://news.sky.com/story/wildlife-presenter-and-comedian-bill-oddie-has-died-13567339

OP posts:
echt · Yesterday 14:35

Thanks for the Goodies and the birds, Bill.

Original poster
Zov · Yesterday 15:29

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · Yesterday 13:52

Sad news. He had a very sad family background. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2015/mar/27/bill-oddie-my-family-values He only found out on Who Do You Think You Are? that his mother had had two baby daughters before him and tragically neither survived. She then spent most of his childhood in psychiatric hospitals and they never established a proper relationship later in life when she was back in the community. No wonder he had mental health difficulties. It was brave and commendable of him to be very open about that at a time when many similarly afflicted did their best to hide it.

Oh I didn't know this, how sad. As you say, no wonder Bill had a battle with depression for much of his life. He always seemed so cheery and funny and chirpy too, but then, most people who suffer from chronic and debilitating depression do often hide it very well. Look at the actor Robin Williams. Funny and warm and happy all the time - apparently. Flowers

OP posts:
Mammut · Yesterday 15:36

Very sad. I loved The Goodies. Thanks for all the laughs Bill.

Summerhillsquare · Yesterday 15:38

He helped save Druridge bay from coal mining.

ChaToilLeam · Yesterday 15:42

I loved the Goodies as a little girl and Bill was my favourite.

Original poster
Zov · Yesterday 16:16

Summerhillsquare · Yesterday 15:38

He helped save Druridge bay from coal mining.

Wow, that's amazing!

OP posts:
ginasevern · Yesterday 16:28

RIP Bill. Still got my "Funky Gibbon" single from 1975.

JustGiveMeReason · Yesterday 16:50

Thanks for all the laughs on The Goodies. RiP Bill Oddie.

HoraceCope · Yesterday 16:51

Funky Gibbon
he lived a long life rip, not to be forgotten Bill Oddie

AnAutumnCrow · Yesterday 16:59

I loved the Goodies' version of Wild Thing (You Make My Heart Sing).

Farewell, Bill. You were one of the good guys. Flowers

FeckAboutAndFindOut · Yesterday 17:09

Thank you for the link. I shall watch it. I loved him as a child. I only remember him on Buzzcocks as an adult. But that link has put everything into perspective. I am amazed the NMTB programme was edited as it was, had they known he had MH issues. RIP Bill 💐🐦🪽

FFSItsTooHot · Yesterday 17:27

Oh no,I'm sad to hear this. I had no idea he was ill. Loved him in The Goodies.

Pieceofpurplesky · Yesterday 17:32

RIP Bill.
Here is the Kitten Kong clip
Take a look at this video, 'kitten kong'
https://share.google/qqKnfUIfdyQodZVST

Pieceofpurplesky · Yesterday 17:45

I went down a rabbit hole of The Goodies clips this morning: they are still funny today, proper daft humour! The Bagpipe Spider!

Original poster
Zov · Yesterday 18:05

Easy to go down a rabbit hole with The Goodies, as they did so much. As has been said, very talented and funny men! Smile

OP posts:
TonTonMacoute · Yesterday 18:13

I adored the Goodies, and I got them on DVD for DS and was surprised at how well the classic episodes have stood up pretty well.

I had two friends who (separately) worked with him on his books, and who found him quite hard going, but as a tv presenter he was superb, and his knowledge of wildlife extraordinary.

swimsong · Yesterday 18:26

BeanQuisine · Yesterday 13:45

The Goodies was classic slapstick surrealism of its day, less arch and pretentious than Monty Python and a lot more energetic, with a strong appeal to children and adolescents. It was especially popular in Australia, where it was often repeated on the ABC.

Bill was the more rebellious and moody of the trio, but always very funny.

Sadly in real life he suffered from severe depression, which often interrupted his career. He shared his troubles occasionally in interviews and campaigned for various mental health charities.

Through all that he lived to 85, a respectable run indeed. 🙂

His 'Who Do You Think You Are? episode was very moving - especially him witnessing his mum being taken away.

Original poster
Zov · Today 09:56

swimsong · Yesterday 18:26

His 'Who Do You Think You Are? episode was very moving - especially him witnessing his mum being taken away.

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I didn't know any of this, I will try to see if I can find this documentary with Bill in it. Should be on the BBC iPlayer I think...

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