Bill Bailey

Bill Bailey, born Mark Robert Bailey on 13 January 1965 in Keynsham, Somerset, 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 and incorporates music into his performances.

Bailey was listed by The Observer as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy in 2003, and in both 2007 and 2010 he was voted the seventh greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups. He spent most of his childhood in Keynsham and was educated at King Edward's School, an independent school in Bath, where he was the only pupil to study A-level music. He started studies for an English degree at Westfield College of the University of London but left after a year, and received an Associate Diploma from the London College of Music. 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.

Bailey began touring the country with comedians such as Mark Lamarr, and in 1984 formed a double act, the Rubber Bishops, with Toby Longworth. He went solo with the one-man show Bill Bailey's Cosmic Jam, and after winning a Time Out award returned to Edinburgh in 1996 with a show nominated for the Perrier Comedy Award. He won Best Live Stand-Up award at the British Comedy Awards in 1999. He made an appearance in the film Hot Fuzz, and in 2020 won the 18th series of the BBC dancing competition Strictly Come Dancing with his professional partner Oti Mabuse, becoming the oldest winner in the show's history. He was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Bath in 2018 and was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire.