Who is Bill Oddie? Resident of The Real Marigold Hotel, star of The Goodies and ex-Springwatch presenter
WILDLIFE presenter, author and comedy host, Bill Oddie is a well-known telly personality.
The nature expert has joined the latest series of The Real Marigold Hotel – but what do we know about Springwatch star?
Who is Bill Oddie?
TV presenter, writer, musician and conservationist, Bill Oddie is a star with many strings to his bow.
He is well-known for his wildlife expertise in shows that include Springwatch, Birding with Bill Oddie and Bill Oddie Goes Wild but was also famous for starring in comedy show The Goodies.
The talented star was born in 1941 and went on to study at Cambridge University, where he quickly fell into comedy production.
It was here he met his fellow Goodies hosts, who would later produce a show of the same name that would plunge him into the public eye.
When will Bill Oddie be on the Real Marigold Hotel?
The famous TV presenter has joined the Real Marigold Hotel for its second series.
The show, which is inspired by the hit movie, will see Bill be one of eight ageing celebrities who travel across India to see if they would be able to hack retiring overseas.
The second series features a new line-up of celebs alongside Bill, including This Morning’s Doctor Miriam Stoppard, actress Amanda Barrie, Paul Nicholas from ‘80s sitcom Just Good Friends, singer Sheila Ferguson, entertainer Lionel Blair, snooker player Dennis Taylor and TV personality Rustie Lee.
What is an ornithologist?
An ornithologist is a person who studies birds.
Bill Oddie is one of the most famous British bird experts, and started out as a birdwatcher during his childhood in Birmingham.
He has written a number of books and articles about birds for publications such as Birdwatch, British Birds and Birdwatching Magazine.
He became the president of the West Midland Bird Club in 1999 and in 2003 ran a half-marathon to raise funds for a number of wildlife charities.
What about Bill Oddie’s personal life?
Bill Oddie has been married twice, and first tied the knot with Jean Hart in 1967 before getting divorced.
He had two daughters with Jean, Bonnie Oddie and Kate Hardie, and now has three grandchildren, Gracie, Ella and Lyle.
In 1983, he went down the aisle with Laura Beaumont-Giles, and the couple had a daughter called Rosie in 1985.
Bill and Laura have worked together on a number of film scripts and books together.
The Real Marigold Hotel series two airs on Wednesday nights at 9pm on BBC ONE.
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