Bill Oddie has his final wishes fulfilled as family and friends scatter his ashes in Hampstead Heath in wildlife-themed celebration of his life

Bill Oddie was laid to rest at his favourite spot in London, fulfilling the wildlife-lover's final wish of being buried at the place where he would sit for hours listening to birdsong.

Family and friends of the comedian-turned-ornithologist gathered in Hampstead Heath in a celebration of his life.

Mr Oddie's ashes were carried into the park on a makeshift bird's nest as dove decorations hung from washing lines up above.

Taxidermist Simon Wilson said: 'Today I was honoured to be invited to a very special send-off for Bill Oddie on Hampstead Heath, London.

'A wonderful day surrounded by some amazing people, all coming together to celebrate Bill’s extraordinary life, his humour, his work and, of course, his lifelong love of wildlife and music.

'So many stories, memories and familiar faces a fitting celebration of a truly unique man.

'A real honour and privilege to have been there.'

Mr Oddie died aged 85 last month, but had long planned his own funeral.

Speaking to journalist Rob McGibbon in 2012 for the Daily Mail, Mr Oddie said: 'I'm an atheist, so I will have a humanist funeral. I want to come in to Nothing Compares 2 U by Prince and disappear to Cocktails For Two by Spike Jones.'

He added: 'My ashes can be scattered on Hampstead Heath. I love it there', adding his home nearby was his most treasured possession because 'every room is full of memories.'

Bill said that when he died he wanted to be remembered as someone 'who told the truth' and 'made good television programmes that touched people'.

The wildlife presenter, conservationist and comedian first found fame as a member of comedy trio The Goodies alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden.

He also wrote jokes and music for a succession of hit shows, including satirical TV programme That Was The Week That Was.

Later in life, Mr Oddie won over a new generation of fans through his wildlife television work, while campaigning on environmental issues and raising awareness of mental health, drawing on his own experiences of depression and bipolar disorder.

Oddie, who was born in Rochdale and raised in Birmingham, was beloved by viewers, particularly for his work on BBC nature programmes Springwatch and Autumnwatch, Birding With Bill Oddie and Bill Oddie Goes Wild.

The last photograph of Britain's 'best-loved birder' was posted on Instagram by his youngest child, Rosie, in a birthday tribute to her partner in September 2020. A smiling Bill is seen raising a cup beside his wife Laura and daughter Rosie.

That same year, he almost died after being poisoned by lithium, which he took to manage the mental health problems that led to several admissions to psychiatric hospitals, including after he was replaced on Springwatch and Autumnwatch by Chris Packham in 2008.

Being dropped from the shows pained him so deeply that he could no longer bear to watch a programme he had once loved. He said the BBC's decision, combined with his mother being institutionalised for much of his youth, meant: 'I've lost my family twice.'

The broadcaster's final TV appearance was on Channel 5's Celebrity Britain By Barge in 2020, alongside record producer Pete Waterman and broadcasters Anne Diamond and Jennie Bond.

Bill is survived by his second wife, Laura Beaumont-Giles, and their musician daughter Rosie, as well as his two daughters, Bonnie, a choreographer, and Kate, an actress, from his first marriage to the late jazz singer Jean Hart.

Kate, going by the surname Hardie, a blend of her mother's surname and Oddie, starred in The Krays alongside Gary and Martin Kemp and in Mona Lisa with Bob Hoskins.

In a tribute to her father, actress Kate Hardie praised Oddie's artistic talents in a lengthy Instagram post.

Ms Hardie, 58, who made an account just to post the tribute, also detailed her similar suffering with her own mental health struggles just like her father. 

She wrote: 'Getting some follow requests and I suspect it's about the old fellah with the beard who photo bombed me here! I only use Instagram to look at birds and am not into posting here.

'But I'm opening this portal up for a day (will then bugger off again) to say - He was bloody amazing, he made no secret of his struggles and it's been a complex thing having OBEOneBillOddie as a dad but also a total honour if not a little intimidating as he was talented in a way I still can't fathom.

'If you don't know his music - google it! It's not just comedy songs he was musical to his very core with a vast knowledge and incredible self taught skill - if you don't know his art - search it out he was an incredible artist - sketches and the most delicate brilliant paintings.

'If you don't know his comedy rewatch some (with the usual seventies caveat that some of it is a bit bloody dubious here and there regarding race gender etc)

'If you don't know about his wildlife knowledge and advocacy work follow any UK wildlife profile right now and find out about it.

'Thanks so much in advance for your care and wishes but if you don't know about his fragile marbles and all he dealt with read some of dads interviews where he talks of them - I have had my own marble struggles and the crazy a**e world of social media I found (eventually!!) - apart from the bird photos - does little for them so I'll be out of here again sharpish.

'Do ya self a favour and go and listen to him singing Ilklei Mah Ba Tat in a pitch perfect impression of Joe Cocker singing 'help from my friends' and see where it leads you. Listen to the radio version of his Who do You think You Are and see where he came from.

'There is much joy and awe to be found in a Bill Oddie rabbit hole and I'll miss him very very much.'  

She added: 'I've been so focused on trying to be with and to play my part in supporting dad at the end of his life I haven't been able to reflect and truly relish all that life entailed.

'It's been deeply moving and just a bit overwhelming to see how much he is loved and how many different varieties of impact he had. His legacy is definitely something to behold!'  

In paying tribute to the wildlife enthusiast, Chris Packham said: 'A renegade polymath with binoculars and a beard, Bill was invariably funny and occasionally furious.

'He loved birds and loathed those who harmed them . He was delightfully unpredictable, sparky, smart and at times a bit spiky. Critically, he really knew his stuff, and his passion was true – he didn’t just pick up his binoculars on telly, he went birding whenever he could.

'So he was genuine and that’s why we loved him. He never needed a script, and took scant interest in any he was given. He didn’t like rules and often neglected to play by them. This may have frustrated the serious and the worthy, but it always amused his audience – he was an utter joy to be with.

'I recall finding a black woodpecker in a damp Dutch park with him once. He gazed at it intently, sighed, put down his bins[oculars], turned to me and just smiled. A massive grin. No words, just a beautiful childlike bliss.

'That says all you need to know about Bill Oddie. Sadly, we’ve not only lost a goodie, we’ve lost one of the besties.

Oddie's agent David Foster said: '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.

'He taught us the wonder of it. 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.

'My thoughts and love are with Bill's wife, Laura, and his daughters Bonnie, Kate and Rosie.'

The BBC said: 'We are saddened to hear the news about the death of Bill Oddie. Bill had a long association with the BBC and was a much-loved comedian, naturalist and broadcaster.

'His career spanned generations, from being a member of comedy trio The Goodies right through to embracing his passion for the natural world and establishing himself as one of the UK's best known wildlife presenters.

'Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.'

A birdwatcher since childhood, Oddie was a respected ornithologist who became a popular broadcaster, renowned for his passion for nature and his gravelly yet gentle Brummie accent

He was a council member of the RSPB, the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust and The Worldwide Fund for Nature. He was also president of The Northumberland Wildlife Trust and represented many other nature organisations.

In addition, he wrote a number of books on birds and other wildlife topics.

His comedy career began with the Cambridge Footlights, when he started writing for shows including for David Frost's satirical BBC TV show That Was The Week That Was.

He went on to write and appear on numerous programmes, including the BBC Radio's I'm Sorry I'll Read That Again, which featured many of his comic songs.

He first found fame as a member of The Goodies and the trio earned household name status in Australia and New Zealand, as the television comedy show attracted millions of viewers in its heyday.

His songs led The Goodies to several major chart hits, most notably The Funky Gibbon.

He continued to work with his fellow Goodies on programmes including animated children's show Bananaman, before turning his attention to nature shows.

Oddie struggled with mental health issues throughout his life and spoke openly about suffering from crippling depression. He was admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 2009 after being dropped from the BBC show Springwatch, of which he was one of the original presenters.

He was finally diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a condition where depressive periods alternate with manic activity.

Speaking in 2014, he said he still felt a lingering sadness that his days on Springwatch were cut short.

He said: 'I very much miss it, but when I do see it, it brings back many happy memories and I like to think I contributed to its success.

'It's still so well loved and helps encourage people to enjoy the natural world. That's all to the good because I fear so many people wear earphones for their phones and music players that increasingly they miss out on everyday joys like birdsong.

'My plea to people would be to "go naked" occasionally – take off those earpieces so you hear nature and, of course, birdsong. You may not realise how precious it is until it's gone.'

He had tried to take his own life twice and said that his depression was genetic, passed down on his mother's side.

In 2014, he said he was afflicted with another health issue – particularly difficult for a birder – he was going deaf. His eyesight had also started to deteriorate in his 50s.

'I first noticed it when I was out on Hampstead Heath bird watching,' he said.

'I was stood with a friend who said a meadow pipit was going over – it makes a soft "seep" sound – but I couldn't hear it.

'My friend said the call was quite loud and I suddenly realised that my hearing had gone. I hadn't suspected it at all before then, but I went home and tested it by playing other high pitched bird call recordings and I couldn't hear them either.'

Describing his mental health he said: 'I've been fortunate enough that I've been absolutely fine for years now and have had a good stretch.

He added: 'It's undeniable that being outdoors and having an interest in the outdoors is good for mental health in general.

'There's no doubt that being involved with nature is good for you.'