Just more proof that the UK does televisual "scandals" better than any country, this time in the natural history unit: Bill Oddie has been howled down by BBC2 viewers who weren't impressed with his, how you say, raunchy treatment of the voiceovers on his latest wildlife programming effort, Spring Watch.

Evidently the Goodie turned ornithologist and natural history presenter was a little hasty in deciding that BBC2 viewers might, you know, have a sense of humour. Apparently they would rather watch scenes of animals mating in uncomfortable silence while listening to their own heavy breathing.

The first moment of controversy on Tuesday night's show came when 66-year-old Oddie spotted the amorous antics of a couple of sparrows.

He told viewers: "The female is asking for it - and getting it basically.

"She was fluttering her wings and pretending to be a child - that's kind of weird when you think about it. Oh and again.

"She is doing that wing-fluttering thing like that as if to say 'I am a baby, feed me', she is getting quite the opposite basically."

Oddie added: "That's a wing-trembler she's just had there."

Then later on in the show he fronted a light hearted 'Shakespearian' style item about the life of stag beetles.

When it came to the sensitive issue of sexual congress, Oddie, who co-presents the show with Kate Humble, decided not to hold back.

He said: "He crash lands on top of a likely looking lady, there's a bit of luck. One thing is sure this boy is horny."

Then after a male stag beetle fought of a rival suitor for the right to mate with the female, things took an even more bizarre twist.

Oddie took on the part of the female and in a high pitched voice said: "Come on big boy come and get it. "

The presenter added, in the character of the female: "Oh be gentle with me", as images on the programme showed the beetles copulating.

Well really, what did they expect from someone who started off in Cambridge revues and then went on to cover his face in boot-polish and claim he'd changed his name to "Rastus Watermelon!", (in The Goodies), amongst other career highlights.

Anyway, it can't be worse than Mike Goldman narrating that meerkat show! That made the baby cheeses cry.