Bill Oddie, member of The Goodies comedy series, dead at 85

British actor, comedian and broadcaster Bill Oddie, best known to Australian audiences as a member of the 1970s comedy trio The Goodies, has died aged 85.His agent, David Foster, confirmed his death to the BBC, without revealing the cause.The Goodies was a surreal British comedy series starring Oddie, Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden, blending slapstick, satire, music and visual gags.It ran for nine seasons between 1970 and 1982, with 76 episodes, screening in Australia on the ABC.The Goodies ran between 1970 and 1982 over 76 episodes. (BBC)"It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of Bill Oddie, the country's best-loved birder," Mr Foster said in a statement."Bill was a multi-talented entertainer — a 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."After The Goodies, Oddie became one of Britain's best-known wildlife broadcasters and conservationists through BBC series including Birding with Bill Oddie and Springwatch.His death means that Scottish-born Graeme Garden — at 83, the youngest of The Goodies cast — is the one surviving member from TV show's main cast.Tim Brooke-Taylor died in April 2020, aged 79, after contracting COVID-19 during the early stages of the pandemic.The bearded Oddie was arguably the wildest member of The Goodies' cast, known for his unpredictable antics and outspoken views. He wore bright T-shirts, while his cast members were often dressed in shirt, jackets and ties.He also wrote The Goodies hit song The Funky Gibbon which reached number four on the UK charts in 1975."It was an honour and a privilege to represent him for so many years. I will miss him terribly," Mr Foster said.Oddie is survived by his wife, Laura, and daughters, Bonnie, Kate and Rosie.