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From BBC News http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7860991.stm:

Bill Oddie flies Springwatch nest
Page last updated at 14:10 GMT, Friday, 30 January 2009

TV presenter and ornithologist Bill Oddie has quit wildlife programme Springwatch, the BBC has confirmed.

The former Goodie has decided to "take a breather" and will not take part in the next series, which begins in May.

He has presented the nightly nature show for the last four years alongside Kate Humble. It is not yet known whether anyone will take his place.

The new series of Springwatch will kick off with a one-hour special showcasing Oddie's favourite moments.

"I'm really going to miss working with Kate and the team but after an amazing four years of really intense work it feels like the right time to take a breather and recharge my batteries," the often-cantankerous presenter said.

Expertise

The BBC said Oddie remained an important part of the wildlife broadcasting team and would continue to work on other programmes, including Bill Oddie's Top Ten.

The door has been left open for him to return to Springwatch - although he has almost certainly been ruled out of this year's instalment of the series'
sister show, Autumnwatch.

Neil Nightingale, head of the BBC natural history unit, said: "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."

Springwatch, which encourages viewers to spot wildlife in their gardens and get involved with nature conservation, is a popular fixture in BBC Two's schedules.

Its appeal has been put down to the play-off between Oddie's gruff, matter-of-fact persona and Humble's more chatty manner.

Last year's series had an average of 3.5 million viewers nightly.

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From The Guardian
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2009/jan/30/bill-oddie-leaves-bbcs-springwa
tch):

Bill Oddie leaves BBC's Springwatch

Caitlin Fitzsimmons guardian.co.uk, Friday 30 January 2009

Bill Oddie has quit Springwatch after four years, leaving the live BBC2 nature programme to find a new co-host to work alongside Kate Humble.

Oddie, 67, will not appear in the next series, in May, but will continue to appear on other BBC2 natural history programmes.

"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," he told the Daily Mirror.

The new series in May will include a special to celebrate Oddie's most memorable moments.

Neil Nightingale, the BBC natural history unit head, told the Mirror:
"Bill's style, in-depth expertise and unflinching dedication helped establish Springwatch and Autumnwatch as two of the nation's favourite natural history programmes."

Presenters tipped to replace Oddie include Simon King, Countryfile host Ben Fogle, filmmaker Gordon Buchanan and former Ground Force host Alan Titchmarsh.

The BBC2 controller, Janice Hadlow, paid tribute to Oddie's "amazing ornithological knowldege and enthusaism for the subject".

A BBC2 presenter said Oddie would not present Springwatch or its sister show, Autumnwatch, this year but the door was open for him to return next year because Springwatch presenters were contracted for single series. He added that the channel was considering whether to find a direct replacement or let Humble and King present without Oddie for the next series.

Springwatch started in 2005 and Autumnwatch in 2006 and both shows regularly attract audiences over 4 million for BBC2. Last year, Springwatch delivered an average audience of 3.2 million and a 14% share across the season, while Autumnwatch reached 3.2 million and a 13% share.

The show goes out live every weeknight for a month, tracking the changes in the natural environment throughout spring. For many viewers the camaraderie and banter between Oddie and Humble is part of the show's appeal.

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Commentary from The Guardian's blog
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/organgrinder/2009/jan/30/bill-oddie-springw
atch-organ-grinder):

Organgrinder Blog
Posted by John Plunkett Friday 30 January 2009 10.52 GMT

Springwatch without Bill Oddie is rather like the Rolling Stones without Keith Richards, Sky News without Kay Burley or Nuts magazine without Lucy Pinder. Simply not worth having.

Oddie is leaving the four-year-old BBC2 show to "take a breather", it was revealed today. But I would suggest if Oddie is taking a rest, then so should the show.

Because Oddie IS Springwatch. His occasionally chaotic presenting style - fumbled links, comedy faux pas and on-screen bickering with co-presenter Kate Humble - is all part of the fun. He's only human, after all. But most of all it is his enthusiasm for the subject which shines out of his every pore and makes it must-watch TV.

That, and the hilarious fixed grin on Humble's face as Oddie talks over her for the 26th time that show.

If ever a real-life show cried out for the Moving Wallpaper treatment, then it's Springwatch. That really would be must-watch TV.

In truth he has probably chosen a good time to go. The last couple of series (Springwatch, which began in 2005, has now been joined by another live natural history extravaganza, Autumnwatch) have become a little tired.

The novelty of the first couple of series - oooh, look, cameras in a blue tit nest! Barn owls! Oystercatchers! A flipping great bird of prey! - has begun to wear off. Increasingly they have filled the holes with "wacky"
stunts - Simon King dressed up in a comedy bird suit, cameras disguised in remote control wooden ducks - which just haven't come off. Funny for five minutes, irritating for entire series.

And please, no more comedy badger cams, famous for not picking up any badgers. Enough already! And much as I love watching kingfishers, it's never going to be as exciting the 10th time as it was the first.

Simon King is an obvious replacement for Oddie, but he's already a big part of the show out on location - usually in Scotland - and I don't see him giving that up.

Ben Fogle has a little more spare time now he's not doing Countryfile, but he leaves me cold. Alan Titchmarsh? If he takes over then I'm following the swallows to South Africa.

Instead they should Springwatch a rest, and come back in 2010 bigger and better. And with Bill.