By Daily Mail Reporter

Last updated at 5:26 PM on 4th March 2012

Frozen out: Bill Oddie, presenter of Springwatch, claims he was frozen out of his role by the BBC

Frozen out: Bill Oddie, presenter of Springwatch, claims he was frozen out of his role by the BBC

Bill Oddie, the former host of Springwatch, has revealed the real reason behind his shock departure from the nature programme: he claims he was frozen out by the BBC.

Despite reports at the time that his health was to blame, the former comedian has disclosed he was ousted after the Corporation began investigating complaints about an 'incident' as he filmed an episode of the series on Brownsea Island in Dorset.

After several weeks, he spoke to his producer and asked her what was going on as it was 'as if you've been told not to talk to me'. She admitted: 'We have.'

Giving no further details about the 'incident', he told The Lady: 'In January, I was called in, and was told, "We won't be asking you to do Springwatch next year". So that was the big shock. No one explained why.

'After I was told I wouldn't be asked back, I started slipping into a depression that got worse and worse... now, of course, the BBC was splendidly off the hook.

'They could issue a statement saying they were terribly sorry Mr Oddie wasn't well and that they wished me the best. This, of course, was the reason Mr Oddie wasn't doing Springwatch. But it wasn't.'

Oddie, who previously found fame as a member of The Goodies comedy trio, had presented the show for four years, but told the magazine he 'didn't blame' the BBC.

At the time, in 2009, he told the Daily Mirror: 'I'm really going to miss working with Kate, [reporter] Simon [King] and the team but after four amazing years of really intense work it feels like the right time to take a breather and recharge my batteries.'

TV partners: Bill Oddie with fellow Springwatch presenter Kate Humble

TV partners: Bill Oddie with fellow Springwatch presenter Kate Humble

The BBC said then that the 'door has been left open for him to return' , with Neil Nightingale, head of the BBC natural history unit, adding: 'Bill's inimitable style, in depth expertise and unflinching dedication have helped establish Springwatch and Autumnwatch as two of the nation's favourite natural history programmes.

'Although he's stepping out of the picture for this series he remains an important member of the Springwatch family.'

A BBC spokesman said today: 'Bill's health and wellbeing has always been an important consideration for us.

'When we realised he was unwell we pulled back from his filming commitments and the projects were put on hold. 

'Once he was well enough we were able to resume filming.  He has since done several projects with the BBC, such as Autumnwatch and, more recently, last year's Christmas special.

'We are always open to working with him.'

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He's suffered from 'er' mental health problems for some time now.

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Oddie is too much of a loose cannon for the beeb. He is seen as 'difficult' and has obviously rubbed a few producers up the wrong way. When they got the chance he was 'eased out'.

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It's about time the BBC sacked a white, midlde-aged male presenter, because for too long they have been sacking middle-aged female presenters, who could probably do a better job than most male presenters.

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Sorry to have to make the observation that for me, he's always come over as arrogant and overbearing. Not just my opinion - Friends have made the same comment.

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I too always wondered at his condescending manner. It seemed almost uncomfortable in the way he interrupted his co-hosts. It was definitely noticeable, and he was bordering on the manic, not well informed, but babbling to make sure HIS point was put across. Maybe a behaviour from his illness (ses) Maybe the BBC should have been more understanding? It is well known he has depression? But we just don't know what's gone on behind closed doors.

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Chris Packham is funnier, nicer (to Kate) and more knowledgeable, so he's the better choice.

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It would be nice to see Bill back on the show, we have missed him, nice people should be cherrished, ........ not discarded

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Here we go. Another chance to knock the BBC. It was always a mystery to me how Bill Oddie ever got to be a television presenter. He was perhaps the most irritating man on television. This just goes to confirm the integrity of the BBC, who managed to get rid of him in spite of the curious following by Daily Mail readers that he seems to have generated . The programme is far better off without him.

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Chris Packham is better...and hot as well

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So OddBod was bunged off the watch prog . Big deal

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