Bill Bailey Biography

Fast Facts

• Is an ambassador for Youth Music, a charity that advocates for music education for children and young adults
• Supports a number of charity organizations, including Cherry Tree Nursery, ActionAid, International Animal Rescue, and World Society for the Protection of Animals
• He formed his first comedy troupe, the Rubber Bishops, with Toby Longworth in 1984, and they became well known for their off-the-wall comedy music
• Worked as a lounge pianist, keyboard player, and stage actor before deciding to combine his talents and become a stand-up comedian
• Quote: "The stage allows comics a certain freedom of expression that you don't get anywhere else․ You can say whatever you want - it's the last bastion of free speech in some ways․ So I feel there's an obligation to make it that bit more interesting․"
• Best known for his role in the TV series "Black Books" and his appearances on "Never Mind the Buzzcocks" and "QI․"
• Has hosted a number of summer festivals, including the Comedy Session of the Eden Project
• Performed a French version of the "Doctor Who" theme song on a whim on his touring show "Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra," and later appeared on one of the show's Christmas specials, "The Doctor, the Widow, and the Wardrobe․"
• His 2001 tour "Bewilderness" demonstrated his knowledge of music, making him the perfect candidate to take over for Sean Hughes as a team captain on the music trivia show "Never Mind the Buzzcocks" in 2002