Bill Bailey

Bill enjoys artists such as David Bowie, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, The Dandy Warhols, Talking Heads, The Clash, Beck and Elvis Costello.

Bill has been described as, "a hobbit with a wicked sense of humour".

Over 12,000 people are campaigning for Bill to be Britain's 2008 Eurovision Song Contest entry. The campaign was started on Facebook and a email has been sent to Bill to persuade him.

An avid Star Trek fan, he named his son Dax after the Star Trek: Deep Space 9 character Jadzia Dax and often refers to himself as a Klingon.

In January 2007, Bill was the best man at good friend Alan Davies' wedding.

Bill wrote and performed the 2002 British Airways adverts, in which, through the use of music, he took a humorous look at a variety of notable global locations.

According to comedy folklore, after a reviewer once criticised his act for its lack of jokes, he returned the following night to perform a set composed entirely of punchlines.

Bill Bailey named his show Part Troll because he believed he was part troll when he was a child.

Bill Bailey has 'absolute pitch' also known as 'perfect pitch'.

Many fans believe Bill appeared in the movie Shaun of the Dead as one of the zombies in the background. In the commentary Simon Pegg and Edgar Wright confirm that he could not appear in the film as he was busy with other commitments at the time.

In 1994 Bill Bailey performed Rock at the Edinburgh Fringe with Sean Lock. On some occasions the show's attendances were not impressive and Bill almost gave up becoming a stand-up comedian in favor of a telesales job.

When starting out as a stand-up comedian, Bill would often play 3 or 4 gigs a night. This helped him and partner, Tony Longworth (who was later replaced by Martin Stubbs), to achieve a certain amount of success.

Channel 4 recognised Bill Bailey as the 7th greatest stand-up comedian of all time in March 2007, as part of their 100 Greatest Stand-ups show.

In 1996 he was nominated for the Perrier Comedy Award. He was narrowly beaten by future Black Books co-star, Dylan Moran.

A John Hegley gig inspired him to fuse music, jokes and theatricality and become a stand up comedian.

Bill Bailey was listed as one of the fifty Funniest British comedy acts by The Observer in 2003.

Bill Bailey had a cameo role in the movie Hot Fuzz. This movie also starred Simon Pegg who appeared in a Black Books episode with Bill.

March of 2007 saw Bill attend the International Human Beatbox Convention at the South Bank Centre in London.

Bill Bailey provided the voice-over for BMW Mini adverts in 2002

In 1989, Bill formed a Musical Comedy double act with Martin Stubbs called The Rubber Bishops.

Bill Bailey is in demand to appear as a guest on shows such as Richard and Judy and the BBC News.

Dylan Moran approached Bill in 1998 with the pilot script for Black Books.
Bill Bailey's career kick-started with being in the show.

Bill Bailey is known for his trademark beard and long hair.

Bill Bailey calls himself a self proclaimed 'confused hippie'.

Bill Bailey had a small role in the British comedy film Saving Grace.

Bill Bailey auditioned for the role of Gimli in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. The role went to John Rhys-Davies. A petition has since been started to get him a part in proposed film version of The Hobbit. As of 22 June 2007, 847 people have signed.

Bill Bailey spent his early years listening to Monty Python records and rehearsing with a band called 'Famous Five.' The band was unsuccessful and only had 4 members.

Bill Bailey claims to have been good at sports at school.

Bill Bailey presented Wild Think I Love You which began on Channel 4, and is about the protection of Britain's wild animals.

Bill Bailey appears in QI.

Bill Bailey is an accomplished musician being able to play the piano, guitar, keyboards and more.

Bill Bailey is a Time out magazine award winner.

Bill Bailey was voted best French actor in 1986.

Bill Bailey is an Edinburgh Critic's Award winner.

Bill Bailey appeared in the movie The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. He was the voice of the Sperm Whale.

Bill Bailey was listed as one of the 50 funniest acts in British comedy by The Observer in 2003.

Bill Bailey is a winner of the best stand-up award at the British Comedy Awards 1999.

Bill Bailey can speak fluent German.

Bill is a member of the punk band, Beergut 100.

Bill Bailey was raised in Keynsham, Bristol.

Bill Bailey has released a few stand-up comedy performances, including 'Part Troll' and 'Cosmic Jam', which was his first show.

He was born Mark Bailey, but Bill became a nickname after a history teacher quoted war-time song "Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey" during class.