Good Morning Britain presenters pay emotional tribute following ‘very sad news’

‘Very sadly missed’

During the programme, correspondent Rishi Davda joined Richard Madeley and Kate Garraway to reflect on Oddie’s remarkable career.

Rishi described him as a trailblazer in British comedy who later inspired millions to connect with the natural world.

He said: "He found fame in the 70s as a member of comedy trio The Goodies before becoming one of Britain's most well-known broadcasters."

The correspondent also shared some of the tributes that had been made following Oddie’s death, before Richard and Kate spoke about their own memories of the presenter.

Rishi highlighted Oddie’s impact beyond comedy, saying: "It's clear to see that his impact extended far beyond the laughs that people got."

Richard reflected on Oddie’s personality, saying that he was "spiky" and that when interviewing him, "you had to put your boxing gloves on."

Kate added: "You couldn't say the wrong thing to him."

Rishi also praised Oddie’s dedication to wildlife and conservation, saying: "I love that he came back to nature after a couple of decades with the Goodies, and never wavered in his dedication to try and raise money and awareness of those causes."

Bill Oddie first rose to fame as part of the comedy trio The Goodies, becoming one of Britain’s best-known entertainers. 

He later became just as recognised for his work in wildlife broadcasting, serving as one of the original presenters of Springwatch and hosting numerous programmes focused on birds and the natural world.

His agent, David Foster, confirmed his death and paid tribute to him as "the country's best-loved birder."

In his statement, Foster wrote: "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."