TV nature presenter David Bellamy has died at the age of 86, it's been confirmed.

The "larger than life character" was said to have "inspired a whole generation" who grew up with his enthusiastic, eccentric presenting style on a host of BBC shows from the 1970s onwards.

He was an iconic presence, known for communicating passionately through a characteristic speech impediment while sporting a bushy beard and wild grey hair.

The Conservation Foundation tweeted: "The Conservation Foundation is greatly saddened to announce the death on 11th December 2019 of Professor David Bellamy OBE, our co-founder and President. The Foundation was very special to David and he was very special to us."

Bellamy died on Wednesday, according to the foundation, of which he was president and co-founder.

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In a statement, David Shreeve, director of the Conservation Foundation, said: "Sadly, I have to report that David Bellamy died this morning. David and I worked together on a variety of projects in a various places since launching The Conservation Foundation in 1982.

"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."

Bellamy was a famous conservationist whose enthusiasm about the environment began when he was a child and led to a successful TV career.

(Image: Getty)

(Image: Mirrorpix)

As well as a TV personality, he became an internationally recognised academic and wrote dozens of books.

Comedy writer and radio presenter Danny Baker has paid tribute to Bellamy, calling him a "truly brilliant and canny broadcaster".

Referencing Lenny Henry's "grapple me grapenuts" catchphrase that Bellamy inspired, Baker added: "Thoughts with @LennyHenry at this time."

Great Morning Britain presenter Piers Morgan said: "RIP David Bellamy, 86. A brilliant naturalist, broadcaster & character."

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

He inspired Sir Lenny Henry's "grapple me grapenuts" catchphrase and was a regular presence on TV.

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."

* If you would like to leave a tribute to David Bellamy, you can do this on our funeral-notices site

(Image: Mirrorpix)

(Image: Mirrorpix)

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".

Bellamy, who lived in County Durham, later attracted criticism for dismissing global warming.

In 2004 he described climate change as "poppycock" and later said the stance cost him his TV career.

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(Image: Daily Record)

Speaking to the Independent in 2013, he said: "All of the work dried up after that. I was due to start another series with the BBC but that didn't go anywhere, and the other side (ITV) didn't want to know. I was shunned. They didn't want to hear the other side."

Asked by the paper if he stood by his statement, Bellamy said: "Absolutely.

"It is not happening at all, but if you get the idea that people's children will die because of CO2 they fall for it."

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

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 following his work on the Torrey Canyon oil spill in 1967. 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 programmes 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 1979 he won Bafta's Richard Dimbleby Award.

It is possible Bellamy's TV decline began before his tussle with environmental politics.

In 1997 he stood, unsuccessfully, against the sitting prime minister John Major for the Referendum Party in Huntingdon.

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Speaking in 2002, Bellamy said he was "banned from television" after the election, telling The Guardian: "In some ways it was probably the most stupid thing I ever did because I'm sure that if I have been banned from television, that's why.

"I used to be on Blue Peter and all those things, regularly, and it all, pffffft, stopped."