CELEBRITY INTERVIEW
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50 PLUS MAGAZINE
BILL BAILEY THE MULTI-TALENTED ENTERTAINER WHEN comedian Bill Bailey waltzed, quick-stepped and hiphopped his way to the glitterball trophy in December, 2020, he became the oldest celebrity contestant to win Strictly Come Dancing. He was probably also the unlikeliest winner because the smart money would not have been on a balding 55 year-old with no track record of dancing. However, the gambling sceptics would have been badly wrong. Our Bill proved to be a light-footed, athletic dancer, a quick learner with dance partner Oti Mabuse and a delight to watch. Not to mention a poster-boy for all males over 50 who believed they could never be a dance hero. Yet, a quick look at Bill Bailey’s background – and a seat at any of his many sell-out shows – would reveal a multi-talented entertainer with daredevil inclinations when it comes to tackling new challenges. Born Mark Robert Bailey in Bath, Somerset his father was a GP. Bill recalls: “He taught me patience. It sounds like a terrible pun but it’s true. He has an immense ability to listen.” 16
Bill was educated at the independent King Edwards School and was highly academic until around the age of 15 when the thrill of performance as a member of the school band distracted him. He did, though, take his music A level (which he passed with an A grade) and later became a classically trained musician at the London College of Music. He was also a keen – and talented – cricketer, often leading the singing on the long coach journey back from away fixtures. 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. Recalled Bill: “None of the kids knew what he was on about, but it stuck.” Bill started his studies for an English degree at the University of London but left after a year. He performed with a boy band called The Famous Five and also got early acting roles – including a part in the Workers’ Revolutionary Party’s stage production of The Printers which also featured Vanessa Redgrave.
