TV presenter and comedian Bill Oddie dies at 85

Bill Oddie was one of the original hosts of BBC TV's Springwatch from 2005

TV presenter and comedian Bill Oddie has died at the age of 85, his agent has said.

Oddie became a household name in the 1970s as part of zany TV comedy trio The Goodies, before concentrating on his love of wildlife, as one of the original hosts of BBC TV's Springwatch and other shows about birdwatching.

In a statement, David Foster said: "It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Bill Oddie, the country's best-loved birder.

"Bill was a multi-talented celebrity – wildlife presenter, broadcaster, comedian, writer, songwriter, musician and conservationist. Yet it was never fame that he valued. Instead he encouraged us to respect and protect the environment."

Bill Oddie: Comedian who found nature a welcome refuge from mental illness

Foster continued that Oddie "taught us the wonder of" the environment. "He protested, lobbied and campaigned for it.

"He led the way and people of all ages and backgrounds responded to his call. And such a massive contribution to conservation will never be forgotten.

"As Bill's agent I witnessed close hand his intelligence and wit. He was my friend and it was an honour and a privilege to represent him for so many years. I will miss him terribly."

Oddie hosted the early series of Springwatch with Kate Humble

Paying tribute, Oddie's former Springwatch co-host Kate Humble told BBC Radio 4's The World At One: "No-one could tell a story like Bill. No-one could make me laugh like Bill. No-one could enthuse anyone, whoever they were, to go outside and get excited about a robin.

"He just had that way of just making the natural world everybody's world, and I think that's what we all loved about him."

Oddie had many other interests and talents, she said. "He was so interested in so many things. He wasn't just the nerdy birder, or the funny, slightly irascible comedian, or the brilliant musician. He was all of those things. And he was always interested in everything."

She added: "Sometimes he'd be fantastically grumpy and would be the last person I'd want to see first thing in the morning, and other times he would just be the best company in the world, and he talked very openly about his struggles with mental health."

Jo Rowland, chief executive of the RSPCA, said: "I know many of our wildlife rescuers were inspired into animal welfare by Bill's groundbreaking broadcasting work and incredible knowledge of British birds, which brought the wonders of nature into millions of homes across the country.

"Nature has lost one of its best friends,