CRHnews - Bill Oddie, His Therapist, Jesus And The Feng Shuey Fox Vgt [EFX4PqlJEgB]

Naturalist Bill Oddie talks about his statue of Jesus at Hampton Court Grapevine Theatre during the 2012 Flower Show as celebrity of the day, Friday July 6.

One of his urban foxes picked up the statue and a plastic dinosaur from different parts of his garden and laid them side by side.

Why the little reynard did so remains a puzzle to old Bill, but his therapist discounted it as the work of a feng shuey fox - but felt it was symbolic of the battle between good and evil.

This conflict is one of the most common conventional themes in literature, and is sometimes considered to be a universal part of the human condition.

There are several variations on this conflict, one being the battle between individuals or ideologies, with one side Good, the other Evil, perhaps Bill is being challenged which to choose?

The former Goodie, who has been battling the demons of depression, spoke frankly to Alice Fisher of The Observor in a series of soundbites . . .

You have to look up in a city -- there's a lot that flies over. I think you appreciate wildlife more in town; you seek out the oases. Reservoir watching is the equivalent of going to the seaside in the Midlands.

I've got statues of Jesus and Elvis Presley in my garden. I conducted an experiment to see whether blue tits prefer to take peanuts from Elvis or Jesus. It was Presley every time. They knocked Jesus flying.

Up until two years ago I was never off the telly. Then I slipped into a depression. I was in and out of hospital for a year and diagnosed as bipolar. I have no idea what happens now. I haven't had any inquiries from the BBC about coming back to Springwatch. Normally if you're manic depressive you get your own series.

I have an image, which means people assume I like real ale. invictus games I can't bleeding stand it. When I order my Campari and soda, I do it proudly.

Up until last year I barely knew how to turn a computer on. I felt alienated because I didn't know how people communicated, something that has happened to a lot of people in my generation. This year I sat down and Googled my daughter Rosie. That was the breakthrough, because it was contact with a person I knew.

When you're depressed, you get this bizarre propensity for doing absolutely nothing. Sitting in a hospital room you just get through the day like you're in a cell, which is what it feels like, really.

It's often said that it's great to make your passion your job. But now I find it impossible to walk in the countryside without ad-libbing a commentary.

I don't regret being a teenage egg collector, even though it's illegal now. It taught me a ground knowledge of birdsong and behaviour and the patience you desperately need if you're going to have anything to do with wildlife.

I'm very fond of America. It's fashionable to say you can't stand Americans. You might as well say you can't stand Europeans. It's ridiculous.

The main reason to have a television is sport. I was a Chelsea fan in the 70s; I used to go with Eric Idle. When they got rid of Charlie Cooke and Alan Hudson, we gave away our season tickets in protest. Now I support Manchester United.

I dislike special effects. In the Goodies days we had a term: a So What sequence. We'd figure out a scene of visual trickery then think: "Is it funny?" or is it just: "Ooh, that was clever"? Something that just shows you've got time and money: so what?

I wish I had a sister. I did have one for five days, but she died. My mother was in a mental hospital while I was growing up. If I'd had a sister I would have understood the mitchell starc female take on things.

It would be silly to pretend my mind is at rest. Last year was the worst of my life. It destroyed my confidence and identity. Because the manic stage is so productive, I look at my work and think: "Does that count, or was it down to the illness?"

People have been lovely now I've got back outside. This morning a polycystic ovary syndrome lady stopped me and said: "Thank you for all the fun over the years." I thought: "Bill, let that go in."

Bill Oddie is a contributor to Nature Tales: Encounters with Britain's Wildlife