Legendary presenter Bill Oddie has tragically died at 85. The passionate conservationist was best recognised by fans for fronting the BBC's Springwatch between 2005 and 2008 alongside co-host Kate Humble. Bill's death was confirmed by his agent, David Foster, who led tributes and remembered the TV star as his "friend," and added: "It was an honour and a privilege to represent him for so many years. I will miss him terribly." In addition to the hit wildlife series, Bill kicked off his career in the comedy trio The Goodies, before cementing his renowned TV career with Birding with Bill Oddie, Bill Oddie’s How to Watch Wildlife, Springwatch, Autumnwatch and Wild in Your Garden.

Despite this, the TV icon stepped away from wildlife broadcasting and officially made his final TV appearance in 2020 on Channel 5's series, Celebrity Britain by Barge: Then and Now. During the six-part documentary, Bill shared a narrowboat with Pete Waterman, and together they explored routes including the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Scottish canals near Falkirk, and the Grand Union Canal across Oxfordshire and Warwickshire.

During the series, Bill and Pete were also accompanied by Jennie Bond and Anne Diamond, as they discovered the joys of the inland waterways across the UK.

They also travelled Scottish canals from Falkirk and the Grand Union canal in Oxfordshire. Throughout the trip, they all learned about the role Clydesdale horses played on the waterway.

As well as finding out how pleasure boats began to use the canal in the late 1800s, transporting people out of the city to the countryside on day trips.

In September that year, Bill revealed he had been "very ill most of this summer. Lithium toxicity. Almost fatal! I am still here but very confused about most things! But then aren’t many of us."

"It fuddles my brain. Confusion. Will I return? I really dunno. I do hope so. Please wish me luck. XX," he added to the X/Twitter post. According to the NHS, Lithium is prescribed to treat mood disorders such as mania and bipolar disorders.

Oddie is survived by his wife, Laura, and three daughters, Rosie, from his marriage to Laura, and Kate and Bonnie from his first marriage to the jazz musician Jean Hart.

For his services to wildlife conservation, Bill was made an OBE in 2003 and received the RSPB Medal.