Bill Oddie

BroadcasterComedianNaturalistUnited Kingdom1941–2026

BroadcasterComedian

NaturalistUnited Kingdom

1941–2026

Bipolar disorderSelf-disclosed[1]

Bill Oddie was a British broadcaster, comedian and naturalist who first became widely known as a member of the comedy trio The Goodies before developing a second major career in wildlife broadcasting. He presented programmes including Birding with Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie Goes Wild, Springwatch and Autumnwatch, and was appointed OBE in 2003 for services to wildlife conservation. [5]

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Career and work

Oddie first became prominent in British comedy through I’m Sorry, I’ll Read That Again and then as one of The Goodies alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden. The Goodies ran from 1970 to 1982 and combined sketch comedy, visual humour and music; Oddie also wrote and performed many of the group’s songs. [5]

A lifelong birdwatcher, he later developed a second major career as a wildlife broadcaster. He presented programmes including Birding with Bill Oddie and Bill Oddie Goes Wild, and helped establish the BBC’s Springwatch and Autumnwatch. He also wrote books about birds and wildlife and was appointed OBE in 2003 for services to wildlife conservation. [5]

What has been publicly discussed

Oddie was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after spending much of 2009 in and out of hospital during a severe period of depression. In a 2010 interview, he said that he had “slipped into a depression,” spent a year in and out of hospital, and was then diagnosed as bipolar. [1]

Oddie experienced severe depression before and after his bipolar diagnosis. He described depression as leaving him with a strong tendency to do nothing, saying that while in hospital he would simply try to get through each day. He later called 2009 the worst year of his life and said the illness had damaged his confidence and sense of identity. [1]
He also described looking back on periods of unusually high energy, irritability and productivity as manic episodes. He said colleagues had found him intimidating and abrasive during one such period, although he did not recognize the change in himself at the time. [2][4]
During the severe depression that followed his departure from Springwatch, Oddie attempted suicide twice in 2009. He later described reaching a state in which he wanted only to “blank out” and sleep. [2]

Oddie was prescribed lithium and later said that he continued taking it. He also received care through an NHS crisis centre during one of his most severe depressive episodes. [3][2]

Oddie said lithium brought him out of his severe depression within a week or two. He later described paying more attention to his general health through exercise, diet and reducing his alcohol intake. [4]

Oddie spoke publicly about depression and bipolar disorder and supported Bipolar UK. In 2014, he presented a BBC Radio 4 charity appeal for the organization, which supports people affected by bipolar disorder and their families. [6]
He was also critical of some forms of celebrity mental-health campaigning. In 2013, he said he had stepped back from work with a bipolar charity because he was uncomfortable with what he saw as the condition becoming fashionable, and questioned whether celebrity advocacy always improved public understanding. [7]

“It would be silly to pretend my mind is at rest.”
— Bill Oddie [1]

Sources and other resourcesExpand to view the sources used in this profile and resources to learn more.

Sources used for this profile

The following sources contain information that supports the claims made on this page.

The Guardian“This much I know: Bill Oddie”
First-person interview covering Oddie’s depression, hospitalization, bipolar diagnosis and the effects of the illness on his daily functioning, confidence and identity.
The Independent“Bill Oddie on his battle with undiagnosed bipolar disorder”
Covers the depression that followed his departure from Springwatch, two suicide attempts, his retrospective understanding of manic behaviour and treatment through an NHS crisis centre.
The Independent“Bill Oddie calls Government ‘ignorant and arrogant’ over wildlife issues in Britain”
Covers his bipolar diagnosis, hospitalization, lithium treatment and retrospective account of manic behaviour.

View all 7 sources

NZ Herald“Bill Oddie on the good times and the bad times”
Long-form interview covering depression, suicide attempts, lithium and Oddie’s later approach to his health.
The Guardian“Bill Oddie obituary”
Detailed account of Oddie’s career in comedy, music, wildlife broadcasting and conservation.
BBC Radio 4 listings archive“Radio 4 Listings for 9–15 August 2014”
Confirms that Oddie presented the BBC Radio 4 Appeal for Bipolar UK in August 2014.
The Guardian“Celebrity mental health campaigning – a Trojan horse for raising awareness”
Reports Oddie’s criticism of celebrity mental-health campaigning and his decision to step back from work with a bipolar charity.

Learn more

Recommended books and other resources about Bill Oddie and their experiences.

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