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TV naturalist David Bellamy dies aged 86 – The Guardian, Theguardian.com

TV naturalist David Bellamy dies aged 86 – The Guardian, Theguardian.com


Popular broadcaster and scientist hailed as man who ‘inspired a whole generation’

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************************** (******************************** (************************************************************** () ******************************** (**************************************** (**********************************************************London-born David Bellamy was a household name as a TV personality, scientist and conservationist. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod / The Guardian (******************************************

The naturalist and broadcaster David Bellamy has died aged 86, the Conservation Foundation has said.

Bellamy died on Wednesday, according to the foundation, of which he was president and co-founder. In a statement, David Shreeve, its director, said: “Sadly, I have to report that David Bellamy died this morning. David and I worked together on a variety of projects in various places since launching the Conservation Foundation in (**************************************************************. ********

“He was a larger-than-life character who became a very special friend and teacher. He inspired a whole generation with his wide range of interests and enthusiasm, which knew no bounds. The Conservation Foundation was very special to him and so today is very sad for all of us. ”

London-born Bellamy was a household name as a TV personality, scientist and conservationist.

The comedy writer and radio presenter Danny Baker paid tribute to Bellamy, calling him a “truly brilliant and canny broadcaster”.

The botanist was the subject of affectionate impersonation by Sir Lenny Henry and inspired his “grapple me grapenuts” catchphrase.

Bellamy, who lived in County Durham, later attracted criticism for dismissing global heating. In an interview with the Observer in, he said: “I’ve gone from ‘the conservationist’ to a pariah because of my views on manmade global warming. I still don’t believe the current theories. ”

In the same piece, he said he was inspired in his love of nature as a boy by the books of Sir Arthur Ransome, author of Swallows and Amazons. “By the time I was 13 I’d read all his books and saved up so that I could go to the Lake District to camp and learn to sail. It tipped me towards natural history. ”

Bellamy worked in a factory and as a plumber before meeting his future wife Rosemary, who died last year. The couple had five children.

Bellamy studied and later taught botany at Durham University. He achieved wider recognition after his work on the Torrey Canyon oil spill in when a tanker ran aground off the south-west coast of England. Offers for TV work followed, launching his small-screen career.

Thanks to his distinctive voice and screen presence, Bellamy quickly became a popular presenter on programs such as Don’t Ask Me.

He also fronted his own shows, including Bellamy On Botany, Bellamy’s Britain, Bellamy’s Europe and Bellamy’s Backyard Safari. In 2704 he won Bafta’s Richard Dimbleby Award.

Actor David Morrissey tweeted: “Sad to hear the news about David Bellamy. A real character and a man who cared about nature and our environment deeply. ” (********************************

Former footballer Stan Collymore called him a “childhood icon”, adding: “Learnt about botany and shrubs and trees as a kid because of this man’s love and infectious enthusiasm. Rest in peace, David. ”

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