Bill Oddie reveals he nearly died over the summer of ‘lithium toxicity’

BILL Oddie has revealed he nearly died over the summer after suffering from an "almost fatal" condition.

The 79-year-old conservationist and birdwatcher used Twitter to tell followers he had been "very ill" with "lithium toxicity".

He wrote: "Just so you know, I have been very ill most of this summer. Lithium toxicity. Almost fatal!

"I am still here but very confused about most things! But then aren't many of us.

"IT fuddles my brain. Confusion. Will I return? I Really dunno. I do hope so. Please wish me luck. XX."

The TV presenter had last tweeted on June 22.

According to the NHS, lithium is a type of medicine known as a mood stabiliser.

Too much lithium in the blood can trigger serious side effects, including causing people to lose their appetite and feel sick, lightheaded, drowsy or confused.

It can also lead to blackouts, shaking, muscle weakness, blurred vision and difficulty speaking.

Oddie has previously spoken about suffering from crippling depression, which saw him admitted to a psychiatric hospital in 2009, after he was dropped from the BBC show Springwatch.

The naturalist has also been open about receiving a bipolar diagnosis while in hospital and being helped by a lithium prescription.

Oddie found fame in the 1970s as a member of comic trio The Goodies, alongside Tim Brooke-Taylor and Graeme Garden.