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William Edgar Oddie     

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:

Bill Oddie Official Website

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