{{Short description|British musician and comedian (born 1965)}} {{other uses}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} {{Use British English|date=November 2013}} {{Infobox comedian | name = Bill Bailey | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|size=100%|MBE}} | image = Bill Bailey in 2021.jpg | image_size = 200 | caption = Bailey in 2021 | birth_name = Mark Robert Bailey | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1965|01|13}} | birth_place = [[Keynsham]], [[Somerset]], England | active = 1989–present | education = [[Westfield College]]<br>[[London College of Music]] | genre = [[Comedy music|Musical comedy]], [[political satire]], [[surreal humour]] | spouse = {{marriage|Kristin Brunt|1998}} | children = 1 | website = {{URL|billbailey.co.uk}} | module = {{Listen |embed= yes |filename= Bill_Bailey_BBC_Radio4_Front_Row_8_Jun_2008_b00vrt97.flac |title= Bill Bailey's voice |type= speech |description= Bailey speaking on ''[[Front Row (radio programme)|Front Row]]'' in November 2010<ref>{{Cite episode |title= Bill Bailey |series= Front Row |series-link= Front Row (radio programme) |url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00vrt97 |station= [[BBC Radio 4]] |date= 8 November 2010 |access-date= 18 January 2014 }}</ref> }} }} '''Mark Robert''' "'''Bill'''" '''Bailey'''<ref name="mark"/> (born 13 January 1965){{cn|date=April 2026}} is an English musician, comedian, actor and television presenter. He is known for his role as Manny in the sitcom ''[[Black Books]]'' (2000–2004), and for his regular appearances on the panel shows ''[[Never Mind the Buzzcocks]]'', ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'', and ''[[QI]]'', as well as for his [[stand-up comedy]] work. He plays a variety of musical instruments<ref name="GuardianQuestionTime">{{Cite web |last1=Pool |first1=Hannah |title=Question time: Bill Bailey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/dec/03/hannah-pool-bill-bailey |website=The Guardian |date=2 December 2009 |publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited |access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref> and incorporates music into his performances.

Bailey was listed by ''[[The Observer]]'' as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy in 2003.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2003/dec/07/comedy.thebestofbritishcomedy1|title=The 50 funniest people in Britain (part one)|newspaper=The Guardian|date=7 December 2003}}</ref> In 2007, and again in 2010, he was voted the seventh greatest stand-up comic on [[Channel 4]]'s ''100 Greatest Stand-Ups''.<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-100-greatest-stand-ups/articles/greatest-stand-ups-of-all-time|title=The 100 Greatest Stand-Ups&nbsp;– Announcements&nbsp;– Greatest Stand-Ups of All Time!|publisher=Channel 4|date=11 April 2010|access-date=26 August 2011|archive-date=23 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623214118/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-100-greatest-stand-ups/articles/greatest-stand-ups-of-all-time|url-status=dead}}</ref> He made an appearance in the film ''[[Hot Fuzz]]''.<ref name="tv">{{Cite web |title=Bill Bailey Credits |url= https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/bill-bailey/credits/3030665755/ |access-date= 2025-06-16 |website=tvguide.com }}</ref> In 2020, he won the [[Strictly Come Dancing (series 18)|18th series]] of the televised BBC dancing competition ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' with his professional partner [[Oti Mabuse]]. Then aged 55, he is the oldest winner in the show's history {{as of|2024|lc=yes}}.<ref name="GuardianChaChaCha">{{cite web |last1=Hogan |first1=Michael |title=Bill Bailey: 'I dreamed I was cha-cha-cha-ing between the stones at Stonehenge' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2020/dec/26/bill-bailey-strictly-come-dancing-winner#:~:text=Bath%2Dborn%20Bill%20Bailey,BBC%20contest's%20oldest%20ever%20winner. |website=The Guardian |date=26 December 2020 |access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref> He is a cancer fundraiser<ref name="just">{{Cite web |title=A Walk for Sean Lock |url= https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/walkforseanlock |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=JustGiving |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-08-08 |title=Bill Bailey admits grief 'ambushes' him after Sean Lock's death |url= https://metro.co.uk/2022/08/08/bill-bailey-admits-grief-ambushes-him-after-sean-locks-death-17144825/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Metro |language=en}}</ref> and has walked 100 miles for cancer fundraising in honour of his mother, who died in 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-07-24 |title=Why I'm Walking 100 Miles For Stand Up To Cancer |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/bill-bailey/walking-bill-bailey_b_17563942.html |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=HuffPost UK |language=en}}</ref> as well as raising awareness for prostate cancer through television, print, and digital ads.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.looktothestars.org/news/9504-bill-bailey-fronts-prostate-cancer-uk-campaign|work=Prostate Cancer UK|via=looktothestars.org|title=Bill Bailey Fronts Prostate Cancer UK Campaign|date=3 January 2013|access-date=6 April 2026}}</ref> Bailey was awarded an [[honorary doctorate]] by the [[University of Bath]] on 11 July 2018.<ref name="bath">{{Cite web |title=Comedian and musician Bill Bailey honoured by the University of Bath |url=https://www.bath.ac.uk/announcements/comedian-and-musician-bill-bailey-honoured-by-the-university-of-bath/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=www.bath.ac.uk}}</ref> In 2024, he became a patron of the Musical Comedy Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-12-22 |title=Bill Bailey becomes patron of Musical Comedy Awards |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/fyi/683/bill-bailey-becomes-musical-comedy-awards-patron |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=British Comedy Guide |language=en}}</ref> He has written works including ''Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to British Birds'', ''Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to Happiness'', and ''My Animals, and Other Animals'', a memoir of sorts. He has established his own webpage and offers a shop,<ref name="BAILEY">{{Cite web |title=BILL BAILEY |url=https://www.billbailey.co.uk/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=BILL BAILEY |language=en-GB}}</ref> including a list of his musical accomplishments since 1995.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Discography |url=https://www.billbailey.co.uk/discography/ |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=BILL BAILEY |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Early life== Mark Robert Bailey<ref name="mark">{{Cite web|url= https://www.msn.com/en-gb/entertainment/news/bill-bailey-s-real-name-revealed-as-he-receives-honours-at-windsor-castle/ar-AA22q7kt?ocid=entnewsntp&pc=LCTS&cvid=69f9f101c6984228bd6b9fd0264faf85&ei=19|title=Bill Bailey's real name revealed as he receives honours at Windsor Castle|publisher=msn.com |author=Jess Phillips|date=5 May 2026 |access-date=5 May 2026}}</ref> was born on 13 January 1965 in [[Keynsham]], [[Somerset]],<ref name="laid">{{cite web|url= https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/bill-bailey-the-laidback-standup-guy-139262.html |title= Bill Bailey: The laid-back stand-up guy |last=Ross|first=Deborah|date=2002-10-07|work=independent.co.uk|access-date=2022-07-08}}</ref> son of Christopher<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/bill-bailey-i-wouldnt-dance-with-an-unvaccinated-partner-on-strictly-thvhw7f9g | title=Bill Bailey: 'I wouldn't dance with an unvaccinated partner on Strictly' | date=16 July 2023 | last1=Billen | first1=Andrew }}</ref> and Madryn<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2020/12/19/bill-bailey-strictly-success-people-thought-joke/ | title=Bill Bailey on his Strictly success: 'People thought I'd be a joke' | newspaper=The Telegraph | date=19 December 2020 | last1=Harvey | first1=Chris }}</ref> Bailey. His father was an NHS [[general practitioner]] "who ran a little surgery in the front of the house", and his mother a hospital ward nurse.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2011/aug/27/bill-bailey-my-family-values | title=Bill Bailey: My family values | newspaper=The Guardian | date=26 August 2011 | last1=McGrath | first1=Nick }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/healthcare/article/bill-bailey-interview-strictly-extraordinary-portraits-zb0qspxzw | title=Would you trust Bill Bailey as a doctor? | date=16 July 2023 | last1=Glass | first1=Katie }}</ref> Until 2018, when he revealed the correct date, his birthday was wrongly recorded by the media as 24 February.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BillBailey/status/967476430463479808|title=Thanks for all the lovely birthday messages. I accept them as belated wishes for my actual birthday which is in January, the 13th and it was in'65 so papers all wrong . Fake news! SAD! Anyway here's me celebratin'pic.twitter.com/QEyF4wlpjK|last=Bailey|first=Bill|date=24 February 2018|website=@BillBailey|language=en|access-date=17 March 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Bill Bailey: it's no time for a mid-life crisis |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/stage-and-theatre/84478852/bill-bailey-its-no-time-for-a-midlife-crisis |website=www.stuff.co.nz |date=22 September 2016 |last1=Donaldson |first1=Michael |access-date=14 July 2024}}</ref> He spent most of his childhood in [[Keynsham]],<ref name="SomersetLive">{{cite web |last1=Connolly |first1=Nancy |title=Bill Bailey recalls first 'shambolic' gig in Bath |url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/bill-bailey-recalls-first-shambolic-2747168 |website=SomersetLive |date=14 April 2019 |publisher=Local World |access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref> a town between Bath and [[Bristol]]. His maternal grandparents lived in an annexe built on the side of the house by his maternal grandfather, who was a stonemason and builder. Two rooms at the front of the family house were for his father's surgery.<ref name="DID BB">{{cite episode|title=Desert Island Discs featuring Bill Bailey|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/desertislanddiscs_20080608.shtml|series=Desert Island Discs|series-link=Desert Island Discs|network=[[BBC]]|station=[[BBC Radio 4|Radio 4]]|airdate=8 June 2008}}</ref>

Bailey was educated at [[King Edward's School, Bath|King Edward's School]],<ref>"[http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/bristol-news/11-bristol-celebrities-go-school-17024 Where did these 11 Bristol celebrities go to school?]", ''Bristol Post'', 2 April 2017 (Accessed 4 April 2017)</ref> an independent school in Bath,<ref name="KES">{{cite web|url=http://www.kesbath.com/cgi-local/artman/exec/search.cgi?cat=1&fields=art_num&keyword=1553&template=index/newspage.htm |title=Comedy Map of Britain |access-date=2 February 2007 |publisher=[[King Edward's School, Bath]] |year=2007 |work=News Events & Diary |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929195711/http://www.kesbath.com/cgi-local/artman/exec/search.cgi?cat=1&fields=art_num&keyword=1553&template=index%2Fnewspage.htm |archive-date=29 September 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> where he was a highly intelligent, academic pupil.<ref name="teach"/> At about the age of 15, he joined the school band called Behind Closed Doors, which played mostly original work.<ref name="teach"/> He is a classically trained musician,<ref name="teach"/> and was the only pupil at his school to study [[GCE Advanced Level|A-level]] music, which he passed with an A grade.<ref name="teach"/> He also states he was good at sport and was the captain of the KES 2nd XI cricket team in 1982, and would often combine music and sport by leading the singing on the long coach trip back from away rugby fixtures.<ref name="DID BB"/> It was here that he was given the nickname Bill by his music teacher for being able to play the song "[[Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey]]" so well on the guitar.<ref name="screenonline">{{cite web|url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/1191391/|title=Bill Bailey|publisher=Screenonline.org.uk}}</ref><ref name="DID BB"/>

Bailey started studies for an English degree at [[Westfield College]] of the [[University of London]], but left after a year.<ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/bill-bailey-people-are-obsessed-by-how-i-look-1027334.html "People are obsessed by how I look"], ''The Independent'', 21 November 2008.</ref> He received an Associate Diploma from the [[London College of Music]].<ref name="teach">{{cite web|url=https://www.teachsecondary.com/music/view/what-i-learnt-at-school-bill-bailey|title=What I learnt at school: Bill Bailey|website=teachsecondary.com|date=8 January 2016|access-date=23 October 2019}}</ref> He was also made an honorary member of the Society of Crematorium Organists.<ref name="SOCO">{{cite web|url=http://www.societyofcrematoriumorganists.org.uk/members|title=The Society of Crematorium Organists|publisher=The Society of Crematorium Organists|access-date=20 October 2018}}</ref> He performed with a boy band called The Famous Five.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Yaqoob |first=Janine |date=2020-12-19 |title=Strictly Come Dancing winner Bill Bailey's bid for chart stardom in 80s boyband |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/strictly-come-dancing-winner-bill-23194799 |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=The Mirror |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.billbailey.co.uk/biography/|title=Biography|author=Vanilla Storm Limited|work=billbailey.co.uk|access-date=2 December 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208050605/http://billbailey.co.uk/biography/|archive-date=8 December 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Acting roles included a part in a [[Workers' Revolutionary Party (UK)|Workers' Revolutionary Party]] stage production called ''The Printers'' with [[Vanessa Redgrave]] and [[Frances de la Tour]].<ref name="laid"/>

==Career==

===Early stand-up=== Bailey began touring the country with comedians such as [[Mark Lamarr]]. In 1984, he formed a double act, the Rubber Bishops, with Toby Longworth,<ref name="rodega"/> It was there that Bailey began developing his own style, mixing in musical parodies with deconstructions of or variations on traditional jokes.<ref name="rodega"/> Longworth moved on in 1989, joining the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] (RSC),<ref name="rodega"/> and was replaced by Martin Stubbs.<ref name="rodega">{{cite web|url= https://www.rodegamusic.com/clients/bill-bailey/|title= Bill Bailey|website=rodegamusic.com|access-date=16 June 2025}}</ref>

Stubbs later quit, and in 1994 Bailey performed ''Rock'' at the [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] with [[Sean Lock]],<ref name="rodega"/> a show about an ageing rockstar and his roadie, script-edited by comedy writer Jim Miller. It was later serialised for the [[Mark Radcliffe (radio broadcaster)|Mark Radcliffe]] show on [[BBC Radio 1]].<ref name= "bill"/> The show's attendances were not impressive and on one occasion the only person in the audience was comedian [[Dominic Holland]]. Bailey almost gave up comedy to take up a telesales job.<ref name="bill">{{cite news| url= https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/bill-bailey-for-whom-the-bill-toils-6157771.html |location=London|work=The Independent|title=Bill Bailey: For whom the Bill toils|date=18 November 2004 |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130420113731/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre-dance/features/bill-bailey-for-whom-the-bill-toils-6157771.html |url-status=dead|archive-date=20 April 2013}}</ref>

He went solo the next year with the one-man show ''Bill Bailey's Cosmic Jam''. Bailey combined his [[Postmodernism|post-modern]] jokes with music in his whimsical rambling style at the [[Bloomsbury Theatre]] in London, which was broadcast in 1997 on [[Channel 4]] as a one-hour special called ''Bill Bailey Live''.<ref name="tv"/>

After supporting [[Donna McPhail]] in 1995 and winning a ''[[Time Out (company)|Time Out]]'' award,<ref name="screenonline"/> he returned to [[Edinburgh]] in 1996 with a show that was nominated for the [[Edinburgh Comedy Awards|Perrier Comedy Award]].<ref name="laid"/>

Bailey won [[British Comedy Awards|Best Live Stand-Up award]] at the [[British Comedy Awards]] in 1999.<ref name="bca">{{cite web|url= http://www.chortle.co.uk/features_static/awards/britishcomedyawards.php |work=chortle.co.uk |title= British Comedy Awards - Previous winners 1990-2006 |date=2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070621182848/http://www.chortle.co.uk/features_static/awards/britishcomedyawards.php |url-status=dead|archive-date=21 June 2007}}</ref>

===Television=== In 1998, and wrote and presented the BBC television show, ''[[Is It Bill Bailey?]]''.<ref name="tv"/> Bailey's television debut had been on the children's show ''[[Motormouth]]'' in the late 1980s&nbsp;– playing piano for a mind-reading dog. Bailey reminisced about the experience on the BBC show ''[[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]]'' with [[Paul Merton]] in 2000.<ref name="tv"/> In 1991, he was appearing in stand-up shows such as ''The Happening'', ''Packing Them In'', ''The Stand Up Show'' and ''The Comedy Store''. He also appeared as captain on two panel games, an [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] music quiz pilot called ''Pop Dogs'', and the Channel 4 science fiction quiz show ''[[Space Cadets (game show)|Space Cadets]]''.<ref name="tv"/>

Over the next few years, Bailey made guest appearances on shows such as ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'',<ref name="tv"/> ''World Cup Comedy'', ''[[Room 101 (British TV series)|Room 101]]'',<ref name="tv"/> ''[[Des O'Connor]] Tonight'',<ref name="tv"/> ''Coast to Coast'' and three episodes of off-beat Channel 4 sitcom ''[[Spaced]]'',<ref name="tv"/> in which he played comic-shop manager Bilbo Bagshot. In 1998, [[Dylan Moran]] approached him with the pilot script for ''[[Black Books]]'',<ref name="bb">{{cite web |last1=Richardson |first1=Jay |title=Bill Bailey hints at Black Books reunion |url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/6387/black-books-reunion/ |website=British Comedy Guide |date=27 May 2021 |access-date=5 October 2021}}</ref> a Channel 4 sitcom about a cold-hearted bookshop owner, his nice-guy assistant, and their socially awkward female friend. It was commissioned in 2000, and Bailey took the part of the assistant [[Manny Bianco]], with Moran playing the owner Bernard and [[Tamsin Greig]] the friend, Fran. Three series of six episodes each were made.<ref name="bb"/>

When [[Sean Hughes (comedian)|Sean Hughes]] left his long-term role as a team captain on ''[[Never Mind the Buzzcocks]]'' in 2002,<ref name="tv"/> Bailey became his successor. Host [[Mark Lamarr]] continually teased him about his looks and his pre-occupation with woodland animals. On 18 September 2008, it was announced that Bailey would leave the series and be replaced by a series of guest captains including [[Jack Dee]] and [[Dermot O'Leary]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7623854.stm|work=BBC News|title=Bailey says goodbye to Buzzcocks|date=18 September 2008|access-date=18 July 2012}}</ref> While touring in 2009, Bailey joked that the main reason for leaving the show was a lack of desire to continue humming [[Britney Spears]]' ''[[Toxic (song)|Toxic]]'' to little known figures in the [[Independent music|indie music]] scene. During this time he also left his position as "curator" of ''[[the Museum of Curiosity]]'', and declared his intention to "retire" from panel games, although he has since appeared on ''QI'' many more times and hosted ''Have I Got News For You''.<ref name="tv"/>

Bailey has appeared frequently on the intellectual panel game ''[[QI]]'' since it began in 2003,<ref name="tv"/> alongside host [[Stephen Fry]] and regular panellist [[Alan Davies]]; he was the winner of the show's unaired pilot episode. Other television appearances include a cameo role in Alan Davies' drama series ''[[Jonathan Creek]]''<ref name="tv"/> as failing street magician Kenny Starkiss and obsessed guitar teacher in the "Holiday" episode of Sean Lock's ''[[15 Storeys High|Fifteen Storeys High]]''.<ref name="tv"/> He later appeared with Lock again as a guest on his show ''[[TV Heaven, Telly Hell]]''. He appeared twice on ''[[Friday Night with Jonathan Ross]]''.<ref name="tv"/> Bailey also hosted his own show ''[[Comic's Choice]]'', which aired in 2011.<ref name="tv"/>

Bailey presented ''Wild Thing I Love You'', which began on [[Channel 4]] on 15 October 2006.<ref name="tv"/> The series concentrates on the protection of Britain's wild animals, and has included re-homing badgers, owls and [[European Water Vole|water voles]].<ref name="wild">{{cite news| url= https://www.tvtime.com/show/85574 |title= Wild Thing I Love You |work= tvtime.com|access-date=June 16, 2025}}</ref>

In 2008, he played Maxxie's dad, Walter Oliver in episode one of the second series of the E4 teenage "dramedy" ''[[Skins (British TV series)|Skins]].''<ref name="tv"/>Bailey helped [[Kevin McCloud]] build an eco-friendly home in the first episode of ''[[Grand Designs|Grand Designs Live]]'' on 4 May 2008.<ref name="tv"/>

In 2009, Bailey appeared as Cyclops in the BBC show ''[[Hustle (TV series)|Hustle]]'',<ref name="tv"/> In autumn 2009, Bailey presented ''[[Bill Bailey's Birdwatching Bonanza]]''.<ref name="tv"/> [[File:Bill Bailey rocking out in 2008.jpg|thumb|200px|Bailey performing at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in 2008]]

Continuing his foray into [[natural history]], Bailey presented [[ITV1]]'s half-hour wildlife mini-series ''Baboons With Bill Bailey''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.billbailey.co.uk/latestnews/2011/04/something-hairys-on-the-telly-tonight-also-features-baboons/|title=Something hairy's on the telly tonight! Also features baboons|publisher=Bill Bailey|date=8 April 2011|access-date=26 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001234602/http://www.billbailey.co.uk/latestnews/2011/04/something-hairys-on-the-telly-tonight-also-features-baboons/|archive-date=1 October 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The series was filmed in [[Cape Town]] and spanned eight episodes, with exclusive content available on itvWILD.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itvwild.com/tvshows/baboons-with-bill-bailey|title=ITV&nbsp;– Baboons with Bill Bailey|publisher=itvwild.com|access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref>

Bill Bailey played Droxil, a Harvest Ranger from the Planet Androzani Major, in the 2011 Christmas Special of ''[[Doctor Who]]'', titled ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]''.<ref name="tv"/>

In 2009, Bailey presented a project about the explorer and naturalist [[Alfred Russel Wallace]], in the form of an Indonesian travelogue.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://wallacefund.info/comedian-bill-baileys-new-show-about-alfred-russel-wallace|title=Comedian Bill Bailey's new show about Alfred Russel Wallace|access-date=9 November 2010|work=wallacefund.info}}</ref> Bailey said in an interview that Wallace had been "airbrushed out of history", and that he felt a "real affinity" with him. In 2013, to coincide with [[Alfred Russel Wallace centenary|the centenary of Wallace's death]], Bailey presented a two-part documentary, ''Bill Bailey's Jungle Hero'', first broadcast on [[BBC Two]] on 21 and 28 April 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0160p0s |title=Bill Bailey's Jungle Hero |publisher=BBC |date=7 June 2013 |access-date=26 May 2014}}</ref> He travelled around producing and filming the series in [[Indonesia]] and [[Borneo]].<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/media/s3584589.htm|website=Abc.net.au|title=ABC Triple J interview with Bill Bailey|access-date=June 16, 2025}}</ref>

Bailey took part in the [[Strictly Come Dancing (series 18)|eighteenth series]] of the televised dancing competition ''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'', broadcast in late 2020.<ref name="win"/> He won the competition with his partner, [[Oti Mabuse]], becoming the show's oldest winner at 55, displacing the previous oldest winner [[Joe McFadden]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2020/12/13/strictly-come-dancing-2020-semi-final-results-live-updates/|title=Strictly Come Dancing 2020, semi-final results: Ranvir Singh waltzes home after dance-off defeat to Jamie Laing|author=Michael Hogan|date=13 December 2020|website=The Telegraph|access-date=14 December 2020}}</ref> Their win made Mabuse the first dancer to receive the title two years in a row.<ref name="win">{{Cite web|last=Morgan|first=Lucy|date=2020-12-21|title=Oti Mabuse shared the sweetest tribute to her husband after Strictly Come Dancing win|url= https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/entertainment/a35028343/oti-mabuse-husband-strictly-win/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Cosmopolitan|language=en-GB}}</ref>

Bailey voiced Grandfather Smed in the 2022 short film ''[[The Smeds and the Smoos]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 16, 2022 |title=Bill Bailey joins The Smeds and The Smoos |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2022/05/16/50796/bill_bailey_joins_the_smeds_and_the_smoos |website=Chortle}}</ref>

===International tours=== {{BLP sources|date=August 2023}} In 2001, Bailey began touring the globe with ''Bewilderness''. A recording of a performance in [[Swansea]] was released on DVD the same year, and the show was broadcast on Channel 4 that Christmas. A modified version of it also proved successful in America, and in 2002 Bailey released a CD of a recording at the WestBeth Theatre in New York City. The show contained his popular music parodies (such as Unisex Chip Shop, a [[Billy Bragg]] tribute, which he also performed with Bragg himself at the 2005 [[Glastonbury Festival]]), "three men in a pub" jokes (including one in the style of [[Geoffrey Chaucer]]) and deconstructions of television themes such as ''[[Countdown (game show)|Countdown]]'' and ''[[The Magic Roundabout]]''. A ''Bewilderness'' CD was sold outside gigs, a mixture of studio recordings of songs and monologues Bailey had performed in the past; it was later released in shops as ''Bill Bailey: The Ultimate Collection... Ever!'' That same year he also presented a Channel 4 countdown, ''Top Ten Prog Rock''.

Bailey premiered his show ''Part Troll'' at the [[2003 Edinburgh Festival Fringe]]. A critical and commercial success, he then transferred it to the West End, where tickets sold out in under 24 hours, and new dates had to be added. He continued to tour it all over the UK as well as in Australia, New Zealand and the US. Bailey expanded on subjects such as the [[Iraq War|war on Iraq]]. He also talks extensively about drugs, at one point asking the audience to name different ways of baking [[Cannabis (drug)|cannabis]]. A DVD was released in 2004.[[File:Bill Bailey - SYTYF.JPG|thumb|right|250px|Bill Bailey hosting ''[[So You Think You're Funny]]'']]His 1995 show ''Bill Bailey's Cosmic Jam''. was released in 2005. The two-disc set also contained a [[director's cut]] of ''Bewilderness'', which featured a routine on [[Stephen Hawking]]'s ''[[A Brief History of Time]]'' not seen in the original version.

Bailey performed a show at the [[2006 Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] entitled ''Steampunk''.

Bailey appeared at the [[Beautiful Days (festival)|Beautiful Days festival]] in August 2007. The UK leg of the ''Tinselworm'' tour enjoyed three sell-out nights at the [[MEN Arena]] in Manchester, Europe's largest indoor arena, and culminated with a sell-out performance at [[Wembley Arena]].

Early in 2007, a petition was started to express fans' wishes to see him cast as a dwarf in [[The Hobbit (film series)|''The Hobbit'' films]], after his stand-up routine mentioned auditioning for [[Gimli (Middle-earth)|Gimli]] in ''[[The Lord of the Rings (film series)|The Lord of the Rings]]''. The petition reached its goal in the early days of January, and was sent to the producers. It was hoped that as the ''Tinselworm'' tour took him to [[Wellington]] where the film was in pre-production, he would be able to audition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wiredmag.co.uk/archive-feature.php?issue_id=50&feature_id=69 |title=All That Glitters |access-date=31 December 2007 |work=Wired, Croydon's listings magazine |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080104022358/http://www.wiredmag.co.uk/archive-feature.php?issue_id=50 |archive-date= 4 January 2008 }}</ref> ''Dandelion Mind'' was released on DVD on 22 November 2010.

In 2012, his world tour entitled ''Qualmpeddler'' toured the UK as well as returning to Australia and New Zealand in August and September 2012. In September and October 2018, Bailey toured his show, ''The Earl of Whimsy'', to seven venues within New Zealand. In 2021, Bailey toured his new show, ''En Route To Normal'', to venues in the United Kingdom and [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]. In 2022 Bailey took the tour to venues in Europe, and in October to Australia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Northover |first=Kylie |date=2022-09-22 |title='Yes, it's my fault': Did Bill Bailey really predict the pandemic? |url=https://www.theage.com.au/culture/comedy/yes-it-s-my-fault-did-bill-bailey-really-predict-the-pandemic-20220915-p5bi8h.html |access-date=2023-11-05 |website=The Age |language=en}}</ref>

===Music=== [[File:Bill-Bailey in 2007.jpg|right|thumb|Bailey in concert, 2007]] Bailey plays numerous musical instruments, and incorporates music into his comedy. He has [[perfect pitch]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|date=2020-11-19|title=Bill Bailey: 'Strictly's been extraordinary! I've even surprised myself'|url=http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2020/nov/19/bill-bailey-strictly-come-dancing-interview|access-date=2020-11-19|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> His stand-up routines often feature music from genres such as jazz, rock (most notably [[progressive rock|prog rock]] from the early 1970s), [[Drum and bass|drum'n'bass]], classical, and even theme songs, usually for comic value. Favourite instruments include the keyboard, guitar, [[theremin]], [[kazoo]] and [[Bongo drum|bongos]]. He also mentioned in an interview that he has achieved Grade 6 [[Clarinet]]. He was part of punk band Beergut 100,<ref name="scots">{{cite web|url=http://living.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=1484&id=1247052006|title=Looking back at a week of Fringe madness|access-date=2 January 2007|work=The Scotsman|location=UK|year=2006|author=Simon Neville}}</ref> which he founded in 1995 with comedy writer Jim Miller and also featured [[Martin Trenaman]] and Phil Whelans, with [[Kevin Eldon]] as lead singer.<ref name="eldon">{{cite web|url=http://www.notbbc.co.uk/features/15/kevin_eldon_interview.html|title=Kevin Eldon Interview|access-date=2 January 2007|publisher=notbbc.co.uk|year=2006|author=Natbat}}</ref> The band performed at the [[2006 Edinburgh Festival Fringe]].<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2006/jul/23/edinburgh2006.edinburghfestival|title=The essential guide to Edinburgh|access-date=2 January 2007|work=The Guardian|location=London|date=28 July 2006}}</ref> His musical routines include performing "[[The Star-Spangled Banner]]" in a minor key and performing the [[Hokey cokey|Hokey Cokey]] in the style of the electronic band Kraftwerk.<ref name=":0" />

In February 2007, Bailey appeared twice with the [[BBC Concert Orchestra]] and [[Anne Dudley]] in a show entitled ''Cosmic Shindig''. Performed in the [[Watford Colosseum#Watford Colosseum|Colosseum]] in [[Watford]] on 24 February and in the [[Queen Elizabeth Hall]] on 26 February, the show contained orchestrally accompanied versions of many of Bailey's previously performed songs, an exploration of the instruments of the orchestra and a number of new pieces of music. The Queen Elizabeth Hall performance was broadcast on [[BBC Radio 3]] on 16 March 2007 as a part of [[Comic Relief]] 2007.

Bailey had planned to put himself forward as Britain's [[Eurovision Song Contest|Eurovision]] entry in 2008, as a result of several fan petitions encouraging him to do so.<ref>{{cite web|title= Eurovision|url= http://www.billbailey.co.uk/latestnews/2007/07/eurovision/|publisher=Bill Bailey|access-date=8 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20111026090514/http://www.billbailey.co.uk/latestnews/2007/07/eurovision/|archive-date=26 October 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

In October 2008, he performed ''Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra'' at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] with the [[BBC Concert Orchestra]], conducted by [[Anne Dudley]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra|work=The Guardian|location=London|url= https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2008/oct/17/comedy|access-date=20 October 2008|first=Brian|last=Logan|date=17 October 2008| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20081018113223/http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/2008/oct/17/comedy| archive-date= 18 October 2008 | url-status= live}}</ref>

In November 2009, he was a guest on ''[[Private Passions]]'', the biographical music discussion programme on BBC Radio 3.<ref>{{cite web|author=2 days left|url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/privatepassions/|title=BBC Radio 3|publisher=BBC|access-date=26 August 2011}}</ref>

In July 2011, Bailey performed at the [[Sonisphere Festival]] in [[Knebworth]], headlining the Saturn Stage.<ref>{{cite web|last=Bhamra|first=Satvir|url=http://amplified.tv/2011/03/28/bill-bailey-to-headline-sonisphere/|title=Bill Bailey to headline Sonisphere|publisher=Amplified.tv|access-date=26 August 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302063226/http://amplified.tv/2011/03/28/bill-bailey-to-headline-sonisphere/|archive-date=2 March 2012|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He released an album, ''In Metal'', using songs played at Sonisphere, later that year.

In June 2014, The Music House for Children announced Bailey would become their patron alongside [[Sophie Ellis-Bextor]] in celebration of their 20th anniversary.

On 13 September 2025 Bailey made his debut at the [[BBC Proms]], with a performance of "[[The Typewriter]]" by [[Leroy Anderson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/proms/events/performers/80ab9e32-8241-452f-aad3-18302e5d17c7|title=BBC Proms|website=BBC Music Events}}</ref> He later introduced the traditional rendition of "[[Auld Lang Syne]]", from the [[Royal Albert Hall Organ]], with phrases from Bach's "[[Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565|Toccata and Fugue]]" and "[[The Final Countdown (song)|The Final Countdown]]" by [[Europe (band)|Europe]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyn7lq1q1ro|title=Queen wow at Last Night of the Proms with symphonic performance of Bohemian Rhapsody|date=13 September 2025|website=BBC News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/bill-bailey-bbc-proms-performance-b2826163.html|title=Bill Bailey ‘proud to be British’ following BBC Proms performance|date=14 September 2025|website=The Independent}}</ref> In the same month he presented a series of the BBC podcast [[Eras (radio series)|Eras]] about the band Queen.

==Personal life== Bailey lives in the [[Hammersmith]] area of [[London]] with his wife Kristin, whom he married in 1998, on a whim, in [[Indonesia]]. In 2009, he said: "We were travelling around Asia and sailed into a place called [[Banda Islands|Banda]], with a beautiful lagoon, and a smoking volcano on one side and a Dutch colonial fort, an old church and remains of a little town on the other. We decided to get married there and then."<ref name="IndependentInterview09">{{cite news|title=Stand up guy: Bill Bailey on music, marriage and the moment he refused to sell out|first=Charlotte|last=Philby|date=5 December 2009|work=The Independent|location=London|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/stand-up-guy-bill-bailey-on-music-marriage-and-the-moment-he-refused-to-sell-out-1832693.html|access-date=13 August 2010}}</ref> Their son Dax was born in 2003.<ref name="IndependentInterview09"/>

Bailey supports [[Queens Park Rangers]]<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://fourfourtwo.com/interviews/celebrityfans/49/article.aspx|title=Bill Bailey&nbsp;– Celebrity fans&nbsp;– Interviews|magazine=FourFourTwo|date=31 July 2009|access-date=26 August 2011| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110718063441/http://fourfourtwo.com/interviews/celebrityfans/49/article.aspx| archive-date= 18 July 2011 | url-status= live}}</ref> and describes himself as an avid fan of ''[[Star Trek]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/bill-bailey-interview/|title= denofgeek.com Bill Bailey Interview|date= 18 November 2009}}</ref>

He has a carnivorous [[pitcher plant]] named after him, ''[[Nepenthes]] x Bill Bailey'', created by Borneo Exotics in [[Sri Lanka]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sundaytimes.lk/100530/Plus/plus_17.html|title=Borneo Exotics strikes gold for the third time at Chelsea Flower Show|work=sundaytimes.lk|access-date=2 December 2015}}</ref> His sporting interests include [[standup paddleboarding]] (SUP). He is an active supporter of [[British Canoeing]].<ref>[https://www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2020/comedy-legend-bill-bailey-is-our-guest-on-this-weeks-paddlecast Comedy legend Bill Bailey is our guest on this week's Paddlecast] Retrieved Novemeet 21, 2020.</ref>

In 2021, Bailey's former collaborator and close personal friend, Sean Lock, died from cancer. In 2023, Bailey worked closely with [[Channel 4]] to create the [[Sean Lock Comedy Award]] to honour the memory of Lock.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4-announces-sean-lock-comedy-award | title=Channel 4 names TV comedy award after late comedian Sean Lock | work=RTE.ie | date=17 July 2023 }}</ref>

==Political views and activism== Bailey is a lifelong supporter of the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] and appeared in its fifth party election broadcast of the [[2010 United Kingdom general election|2010 general election]] campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rro9m9RCLzI&feature=player_embedded| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/rro9m9RCLzI| archive-date=2021-11-14 | url-status=live|title=Sixty Seconds|publisher=YouTube|date=3 May 2010|access-date=26 August 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In 2015, he endorsed [[Jeremy Corbyn]]'s [[2015 Jeremy Corbyn Labour Party leadership campaign|campaign]] in the [[2015 Labour Party (UK) leadership election|Labour Party leadership election]], saying, "Corbyn's nomination showed there is a kind of craving for a bit of honest speaking, a bit of principled plain speaking. But I think he is in a bit of a bind. Nuanced debate doesn't cut it in the toxic, political atmosphere. He's having a fast-forward of his own political evolution, having to become 'a politician' – the thing he never was."<ref name="standard">{{cite news |last=Ellis|first=David|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/go/london/comedy/bill-bailey-interview-a3134216.html|title=Bill Bailey on happiness, Jeremy Corbyn and how turning 50 changed him|newspaper=[[London Evening Standard]]|date=10 December 2015|access-date=1 May 2018}}</ref>

Bailey is a [[feminism|feminist]] and a supporter of the [[Fawcett Society]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Bill Bailey |url=http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=447 |publisher=Fawcett Society |access-date=22 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928122323/http://www.fawcettsociety.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=447 |archive-date=28 September 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Moore|first=Suzanne|title=What's the nicest thing a man can do for a woman? Shout at a bigot|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/feb/26/suzanne-moore-feminist-men-shout-at-a-bigot|access-date=22 August 2011|newspaper=The Guardian|date=26 February 2011}}</ref> He is also a prominent advocate of men's issues, most notably raising awareness of [[prostate cancer]] and the Men United campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://menunited.prostatecanceruk.org/|title=Prostate Cancer UK|work=prostatecanceruk.org|access-date=2 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123005457/https://menunited.prostatecanceruk.org/|archive-date=23 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> He is a patron of [[International Animal Rescue]] and has been instrumental in the organisation's campaign to rescue dancing bears.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dancing bears 'tradition' to be halted in India|url=http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/dancing-bears.html|access-date=12 December 2011|newspaper=Wildlife Extra|date=October 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Comic joins animal protest|url=http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/2243922.comic_joins_animal_protest/|access-date=12 December 2011|newspaper=The Argus|date=3 May 2008}}</ref> He has also campaigned for the [[Sumatran Orangutan]] Society. For his work in [[Environmental protection|environmental conservation]], he received an [[honorary doctorate]] in conservation and sustainability from the Australian [[University of the Sunshine Coast]] in October 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usc.edu.au/university/news-and-events/events-calendar/2014/october/bill-bailey-honorary-doctorate-ceremony-at-university-of-the-sunshine-coast |title=Bill Bailey&nbsp;— Honorary Doctorate ceremony at University of the Sunshine Coast |access-date=14 October 2014 |publisher=University of the Sunshine Coast |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014091739/http://www.usc.edu.au/university/news-and-events/events-calendar/2014/october/bill-bailey-honorary-doctorate-ceremony-at-university-of-the-sunshine-coast |archive-date=14 October 2014 }}</ref>

==Tours== {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Year !Title !Notes |- |1995 |''Cosmic Jam'' | |- |2001 |''Bewilderness'' | |- |2004 |''Part Troll'' | |- |2006 |''Steampunk'' |Edinburgh Festival |- |2008 |''Tinselworm'' | |- |2008–2009 |''Bill Bailey Live'' |Theatre tour with some material from ''Tinselworm'', but mostly new material |- |2009 |''Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra'' | |- |2010 |''Dandelion Mind'' | |- |2011 |''Dandelion Mind&nbsp;– Gently Modified'' | |- |2012–2013 |''Qualmpeddler''<ref>{{cite news |last=Oderberg |first=Isabelle |date=22 June 2012 |title=Bill Bailey's back with no qualms |newspaper=Herald Sun |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/entertainment/bill-baileys-back-with-no-qualms/story-e6frf96f-1226405523653 |access-date=26 June 2012}}</ref> | |- |2015–2016 |''Limboland'' | |- |2016 |rowspan=2|''Larks in Transit'' |Australia and New Zealand |- |rowspan=2|2018 |UK |- |''The Earl of Whimsy'' |Australia and New Zealand |- |2021–2022 |''En Route to Normal'' |UK, Ireland,<ref>{{cite web |date=30 September 2020 |title=Bill Bailey announces 2021 tour |website= [[Chortle]] |url= https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2020/09/30/47002/bill_bailey_announces_2021_tour}}</ref> Australia, and New Zealand |- |2023–2025 |''Thoughtifier'' |Europe, Australia, New Zealand, UK, and Ireland |}

===DVD releases=== {| class="wikitable" |- !Title !Released !Notes |- | ''Bewilderness'' | 12 November 2001 | Live at the [[Swansea Grand Theatre|Grand Theatre]] in [[Swansea]] |- | ''Part Troll'' | 22 November 2004 | Live at the [[Hammersmith Apollo]] in [[London]] |- | ''Cosmic Jam'' | 7 November 2005 | Live at the [[Bloomsbury Theatre]] in London |- | ''Tinselworm'' | 10 November 2008 | Live at [[Wembley Arena]] in London |- | ''Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra'' | 23 November 2009 | Live at the [[Royal Albert Hall]] in London |- | ''Dandelion Mind'' | 22 November 2010 | Live at [[The O2 (Dublin)|the O2]] in Dublin |- | ''Qualmpeddler'' | 18 November 2013 | rowspan=2|Live at the [[Hammersmith Apollo]] in London |- |''Limboland'' | 26 November 2018 |}

===CD releases=== {| class="wikitable" |- !Title !Released !Notes |- | ''Bewilderness'' | 2000 | |- | ''The Ultimate Collection... Ever!'' | 2005 |Re-release of ''Bewilderness'' with an extra track |- | "Das Hokey Kokey" | 2006 | CD single |- | ''In Metal'' | 2011 | Metal style re-recordings of Bill Bailey songs |- | ''[[Billy and the Minpins]]'' | 2017 | [[Roald Dahl]] audiobook with "The Magic Finger" read by [[Kate Winslet]] |}

==Filmography== * ''The James Whale Radio Show'' (TV series) (circa 1990) (Guest) * ''[[Maid Marian and her Merry Men]]'' (1992) (Cameo court jester to King John) * ''[[Blue Heaven (1994 TV series)|Blue Heaven]]'' (1994) * ''[[Asylum (1996 TV series)|Asylum]]'' (1996) * ''[[Space Cadets (game show)|Space Cadets]]'' (1997) (Regular team captain) * ''[[Is It Bill Bailey?]]'' (1998) * ''[[Spaced]]'' (1999–2001) * ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'' (guest 1999, 2001, 2005; guest presenter 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011) * ''[[Saving Grace (2000 film)|Saving Grace]]'' (2000) * ''[[Black Books]]'' (2000–2004)<ref name="bb"/> * ''[[Jonathan Creek]]'' ** "Satan's Chimney" (2001) ** "The Tailor's Dummy" (2003) * ''[[Wild West (TV series)|Wild West]]'' (2002–2004) * ''[[Never Mind the Buzzcocks]]'' (guest 1999; Regular team captain 2002–2008) * ''[[QI]]'' (2003–present) (Frequent guest) * ''[[15 Storeys High]]'' – "The Holiday" (2004) * ''[[The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (film)]]'' (2005) (Voice of the Sperm Whale) * ''[[The Libertine (2005 film)|The Libertine]]'' (Cameo as advisor to [[Charles II of England]]) * ''Wild Thing I Love You'' (2006) (Presenter) * ''[[Top Gear (2002 TV series)|Top Gear]]'' (A [[Star in a Reasonably Priced Car]] / Fake [[Angelina Jolie]]) * ''[[Hot Fuzz]]'' (2007) * ''[[Run Fatboy Run]]'' (2007) (Cameo) * ''[[Skins (British TV series)|Skins]]'' (2008) (Cameo as Maxxie Oliver's father) * ''[[Love Soup]]'' (2008) * ''We Are Most Amused'' (2008) (''One-off special'') * ''[[Hustle (TV series)|Hustle]]'' (as 'Cyclops') ** "Return of the Prodigal" (2009) ** "Diamond Seeker" (2009) ** "Picasso Finger Painting" (2012) * ''Steve's World'' (2009) * ''[[Burke and Hare (2010 film)|Burke and Hare]]'' (2010) * ''[[Bill Bailey's Birdwatching Bonanza]]'' (2010) * ''[[Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang]]'' (2010) * ''[[Talkin' 'bout Your Generation]]'' (2010); one episode * ''[[Jo Brand's Big Splash]]'' (2011); one episode * ''[[Chalet Girl]]'' (2011)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1487118/|title=Chalet Girl (2011)|author=shead23|date=14 October 2011|work=IMDb|access-date=2 December 2015}}</ref> * ''[[Doctor Who]]''&nbsp;– ''[[The Doctor, the Widow and the Wardrobe]]'' (2011)<ref>[http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2011/09/dwn200911224008-christmas-guest-stars.html Christmas Guest Stars Revealed]. Doctor Who News.Retrieved 20 April 2012.</ref> * ''Baboons with Bill Bailey'' (2011) * ''[[It's Kevin]]'' (2013) * ''The Secret Life of Evolution'' (2013) * ''[[The Grand Tour]]'' (2018); Celebrity Face Off, Series 2 Episode 5 *''[[The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales...]]'' (2018) *''[[In the Long Run]]'' (2018) *''[[Midsomer Murders]]'' (2019); Drawing Dead, Series 20 Episode 3<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7280772/|title='Midsomer Murders' Drawing Dead (TV Episode 2018)|work=IMDb|access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref> *''[[Strictly Come Dancing]]'' ([[Strictly Come Dancing (series 18)|2020]]) *''[[Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse]]'' (2020)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skygroup.sky/article/all-star-cast-announced-for-sky-original-roald-beatrix-the-tail-of-the-curious-mouse|title=Roald & Beatrix: The Tail of the Curious Mouse|website=sky.com|access-date=24 December 2020}}</ref> *''[[My Life Is Murder]]'' (2021); Hidden Gems, Season 2 Episode 8 *''[[Patriot Brains]]'' (2021); Host & Question Master *''This Is My House'' (2021) *''[[Worzel Gummidge (2019 TV series)|Worzel Gummidge]]'' (2021); Mr Peregrine, Series 2 Episode 3<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0012ws0|title=Calliope Jane|website=BBC|access-date=23 December 2021}}</ref> *''[[Travel Man]]: 96 Hours in Iceland'' (2021)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.channel4.com/programmes/travel-man-96-hours-in-iceland|title=Travel Man: 96 Hours in Iceland|website=channel4.com|access-date=25 December 2021}}</ref> *''[[The Smeds and the Smoos]]'' (2022); Grandfather Smed (Voice role)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/global/first-look-image-the-smeds-and-the-smoos-1235386530/|title=First Look Image: Bill Bailey, 'Bridgerton's' Adjoa Andoh in Julia Donaldson's 'The Smeds and The Smoos'|website=variety.com|date=28 September 2022 |access-date=28 September 2022}}</ref> *''[[Best & Bester|Best and Bester]]'' (2022–2023); Grumpy Pants (Voice role) *''Bill Bailey's Master Crafters: The Next Generation'' (2023), (Presenter)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.skygroup.sky/article/up-next-2023-sky-s-unscripted-slate-blossoms-with-12-new-sky-original-commissions-across-factual-and-arts-|title=Up Next 2023: Sky's unscripted slate blossoms with 12 new Sky Original commissions across Factual and Arts|website=skygroup.sky|date=30 January 2023 |access-date=11 June 2023}}</ref> *''[[Extraordinary Portraits]]'' (2023–present), (Presenter)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/extraordinary-portraits|title=Bill Bailey talks about the new series of Extraordinary Portraits which celebrates people who work in the NHS|website=bbc.co.uk/mediacentre|date=14 July 2023 |access-date=14 July 2023}}</ref> *''Bill Bailey's Australian Adventure'' (a.k.a. ''Bill Bailey's Wild Western Australia'') (2023), (Presenter)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/tv-listings?ts=1699812000000|title=Bill Bailey's Australian Adventure|website=radiotimes.com/mediacentre|access-date=6 November 2023}}</ref> *''Perfect Pub Walks'' (2024), (Presenter)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/bill-bailey-front-perfect-pub-070000604.html|title=Bill Bailey to front Perfect Pub Walks|website=uk.news.yahoo.com|date=9 June 2023 |access-date=11 December 2023}}</ref> *''Bring The Drama'' (2024), (Host)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/bill-bailey-host-bring-the-drama|title=Bill Bailey announced as host of Bring The Drama on BBC Two|website=bbc.co.uk/mediacentre|date=17 January 2024 |access-date=19 January 2024}}</ref> *''[[Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps]]'' (2024); Donkey *''Bill Bailey's Vietnam'' (2026) (Presenter)

==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" ! scope="col" | Award ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Work ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" | Ref. |- |1995 | [[Time Out Comedy Awards]] | colspan="2" | [[Time Out Comedy Awards|Time Out Comedy Award]] (shared with [[Sean Lock]]) |{{won}} |<ref name="chortle">{{cite web |title=Time Out Awards : Awards 2013 |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/awards/2013/05/22/17909/time_out_awards |website=chortle.co.uk |access-date=11 June 2023 |language=en |date=22 May 2013}}</ref> |- |1996 | [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] | colspan="2" | [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe|Perrier award]] |{{nom}} |<ref name="hairy">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/29/bill-bailey-comedian-q-and-a|title=Bill Bailey: 'The worst thing anyone's said to me? "You're that bloke off the Hairy Bikers"'|last=Greenstreet|first=Rosanna|date=2016-10-29|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=2018-06-04}}</ref> |- |1999 | [[British Comedy Awards]] | colspan="2" | [[British Comedy Awards|Best Live Stand-Up award]] |{{won}} |<ref name="bca"/> |- |}

He was appointed [[Member of the Order of the British Empire]] (MBE) in the [[2026 New Year Honours]] for services to entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Idris Elba knighted as Sarina Wiegman and Lionesses lead New Year Honours |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/crrkgzy52keo |access-date=2026-01-11|website=www.bbc.com |date=29 December 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Bibliography== * ''Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to British Birds'' ([[Quercus (publisher)|Quercus]], 2018) {{ISBN|978-1786487131}} * ''Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to Happiness'' ([[Quercus (publisher)|Quercus]], 2020) {{ISBN|978-1529412451}} * ''My Animals, and Other Animals'' ([[Quercus (publisher)|Quercus]], 2024) {{ISBN|978-1529436143}}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{sister project links|commons=Category:Bill Bailey|d=no|species=no|voy=no|v=no|b=no|s=no|n=no|wikt=no}} * {{official website|http://www.billbailey.co.uk}} * {{IMDb name|0047155}} * {{discogs artist|artist=Bill Bailey (2)}} * {{Screenonline name|id=1191391}} * [http://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/b/371/bill_bailey Bill Bailey] on [[Chortle]] * {{British Comedy Guide|people|bill_bailey}}

{{Strictly Come Dancing}}

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