HE is better known as the face of nature programme Springwatch or – for those of an older generation – a star of the wacky BBC comeddy series The Goodies.

But Bill Oddie popped up in the Ribble Valley to tell a sell-out audience at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre about his varied life in acting, and as an outspoken champion of conservation, who continues to ruffle a few feathers.

Naturalist Oddie said that Britain’s wildlife is suffering ‘one dip after another’ and the Government is partly to blame.

The Goodies star, 73, blamed ‘very greedy humans’ for destroying many species and added: “I think this Government is stunningly ignorant and arrogant.

“The badger cull, for example, is just bloody-minded and sinister.

“This issue has been going on for a very long time and there is no hard evidence to support the fact that a cull will reduce the problem of bovine TB.”

Oddie, who had a top ten success with The Goodies hit Funky Gibbon, added: “It’s not about saving badgers because they are lovely, cuddly creatures, it’s about doing what makes sense on scientific facts and the facts don’t stack up that this cull will reduce bovine TB.”

On a lighter note, Oddie heaped special praise on ‘the wonderful butter pies’ served up by the event’s sponsor, Nelson-based Oddie’s bakery.

Oddie teamed up backstage with his namesake – Bill Oddie - who runs the century old company with his daughter, Lara, from their Scotland Road base.

“I don’t do many of these shows now, but it was a wonderful to meet the other Bill Oddie,” said Oddie, who traced some of his ancestors back to the villages of Grindleton and Chatburn on the programme Who Do You Think You Are?

“It is the first time I’ve ever met another Bill Oddie – what a great character and a thoroughly nice man.

“I’ll have to get a copyright for my name I think. And as for those pies – they have to be the best in Britain.”