Updated: 28 July 2026
Bill Oddie, the much-loved comedian, Goodies star and passionate wildlife presenter, left behind a close-knit family when he died on 25 July 2026 at the age of 85. While the public knew him for his anarchic humour and lifelong love of birds, those closest to him remember a devoted father of three daughters. His children — Kate Hardie, Bonnie Oddie and Rosie Bones — have largely stayed out of the harshest glare of celebrity, yet each has carved her own creative path.
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Two Marriages, Three Daughters
Bill’s first marriage was to singer and actress Jeanne (Jean) Hart in the mid-1960s. The relationship, which he later described as full of love and adventure, produced two daughters: Kate and Bonnie. The couple eventually divorced but remained on good terms. Jean even got along well with Bill’s second wife.
In 1983 Bill married Laura Beaumont, a children’s television writer and former hostess. They met at a TV Times Christmas party when he was 35. Their daughter Rosie arrived in October 1985. Laura became a steadfast support through Bill’s well-documented battles with bipolar disorder and depression. The family lived for many years in Hampstead, north London.
A Quick Look at Bill Oddie’s Children
| Daughter | Mother | Profession | Notable Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kate Hardie | Jeanne Hart | Actress & screenwriter | Appeared in Casualty, Criminal Justice; studied at National Film and Television School |
| Bonnie Oddie | Jeanne Hart | Choreographer & dance teacher | Maintains a lower public profile |
| Rosie Bones | Laura Beaumont | Musician (also known as Rosie Oddie) | Fronted Rosie Oddie and the Odd Squad; released debut single in 2007 |
Bill was also a grandfather to three grandchildren — Gracie, Ella and Lyle — from his first marriage.
Kate Hardie and Bonnie: Creative Paths of Their Own
Kate Hardie followed her parents into the performing arts. She built a solid acting career with roles in popular British television dramas and later moved into screenwriting. After training at the National Film and Television School, she contributed scripts to Channel 4’s Coming Up strand and other projects. Her work shows the same sharp observational eye her father brought to comedy and nature presenting.
Bonnie Oddie chose the world of dance. Working as a choreographer and teacher, she has kept a quieter public presence than her sister. Bill often spoke warmly of both daughters from his first marriage and noted that the family remained connected long after the divorce.
Rosie Bones: Music in the Blood
Rosie, the youngest, inherited the family’s creative streak and channelled it into music. She left art college to focus on her band, Rosie Oddie and the Odd Squad, releasing her first single in 2007. Performing under the name Rosie Bones, she has carved an independent musical identity while staying close to her parents. Family photos shared over the years show a warm, ordinary bond between father and daughter — a welcome contrast to the more complicated childhood Bill himself experienced.
Family Values That Mattered Most
Bill was open about his own difficult early years. His mother struggled with severe mental illness and spent long periods in hospital, leaving him largely raised by his father and grandmother. In later interviews he said the greatest joy of his life was his “gorgeous girls.” He credited Laura with supporting him through dark periods and expressed gratitude that his first and second families remained on friendly terms.
When news of his death broke, his agent’s statement asked for privacy for “Bill’s wife, Laura, and his daughters Bonnie, Kate and Rosie.” Tributes from across the entertainment and conservation worlds repeatedly returned to the same theme: behind the public figure was a man who found real purpose and happiness in family.
Conclusion
Bill Oddie’s children never sought the same level of fame their father enjoyed, yet each reflects a different facet of his talents — performance, movement and music. In an industry that often prioritises the spotlight, the Oddie daughters have chosen quieter, more personal creative lives. As tributes continue in the days after his passing, it is clear that Bill’s greatest pride was not the ratings or the OBE for wildlife services, but the three daughters who survive him. Their privacy deserves respect, just as their father’s contribution to British comedy and conservation deserves lasting recognition.