William
Edgar Oddie or Bill Oddie as he is more commonly known, was
born in Rochdale in 1941, although the family moved to Birmingham where
he grew up as child. He is a comedian, actor, singer, TV presenter and
an ornithologist.
Famous
originally for his part in the 1970's TV series The Goodies, it may
seem suprising to some people that he should be so interested in
ornithology, seemingly a complete contrast from the wacky antics of the
Goodies Show.
However,
this has been his passion since childhood and was possibly influenced
by his time at King Edwards School in Birmingham and the Bartley Green
Reservoir.
These
days Bill is a well recognised and respected ornithologist
and an
excellent natural history presenter whose programmes will have
influenced many people, young and old alike, and introduced
them
to an interest in wildlife.
Bill
Oddie later studied at Cambridge, but Britain's best-known birdwatcher
still has links to Birmingham through is presidency of the West Midland
Bird Club. In fact, his first published work was an article about
Birmingham's Bartley Green Reservoir in the club's 1962 annual report.
Bill
has worked on a variety of wildlife programmes but has also been
involved in several projects for children. In October 2003 he was
awarded the OBE at Buckingham Palace.
A
sufferer of depression for many years, 2009 finds Bill Oddie being
treated for clinical depression at the same hospital that Amy Winehouse
attended for her drug addiction. We hope he recovers swiftly.
For
further updates and more information please visit:
