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The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ's Natural History Unit (NHU) is producing a special edition of Springwatch celebrating some of presenter Bill Oddie's most memorable moments from past series.

After four years of presenting Autumnwatch and Springwatch on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two Bill is stepping down from the team for a while and concentrating on some different projects with the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ which will include two new editions of Bill Oddie's Top Ten...

Springwatch will be back on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two this May and, although Bill won't be presenting the programme, the new series will launch with a one-hour special in which he looks back on his favourite moments from previous series of Springwatch and Autumnwatch.

Bill says: "I'm really going to miss working with Kate, Simon 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."

Neil Nightingale, Head of the NHU, says: "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 and, although he's stepping out of the picture for this series, he remains an important member of the Springwatch family."

Janice Hadlow, Controller, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two, says: "Springwatch and Autumnwatch bring a unique flavour to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Two and a chance to really connect with our audience and much of this is down to Bill's amazing ornithological knowledge and enthusiasm for the subject.

"As Bill takes a break we're going to use this opportunity to celebrate all that's great about Springwatch and Autumnwatch and viewers will be able to enjoy Bill in some new roles over the coming months."

There will be more news about the new series of Springwatch later this year.

DP