Comedian's route through Strictly Come Dancing

Bill Bailey has won Strictly Come Dancing's 2020 glitterball trophy.

The comic, who at 55 is the oldest contestant to have made the final, never topped the leaderboard, but remained a strong viewers’ favourite - and the winner was decided by public vote. 

Here is how he danced his way from expected ‘comedy contestant’ to worthy winner:

Week 1: October 24

Dance: Cha Cha Cha to Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba 

Score: 15/30

Judge’s comment: ‘Like dancing on hot coals after a dozen double espressos’ - Criag Revel Horwood, who scored the couple just three

Week 2: October 31

Dance:  Quickstep to Talk To The Animals

Score: 24/30

Judge’s comment: ‘Absolutely fantastic’ - Craig Revel Horwood

Week 3: November 7 (Movie week)

Dance:   Paso doble to Ennio Morricone’s theme to The Good, The Bad And The Ugly.

Score: 26/30

Judge's comment: ‘You are extraordinarily fantastic’ - Shirley Ballas

Week 4: November 14

Dance:  Street dance to Rappers’ Delight by the Sugarhill Gang

Score: 27/30

Judge’s comment: ‘Unbelievable and brilliant’ - Anton Du Beke

Week 5: November 21

Dance:   American Smooth  to Frank Sinatra's I've Got You Under My Skin

Score: 25/30

Judge's comment: 'I feel like we are in heaven’ – Anton Du Beke

Week 6: November 28

Dance: Jive to One Way Or Another by Blondie

Score: 24/30

Judge's comment: ‘Your stamina at your age is off the chart’ - Shirley Ballas

Week 7: December 5

Dance:   Argentine Tango to Phantom of the Opera

Score: 24/30

Judge's comment: ‘Phantasmagorical’ – Craig Revel Horwood

Week 8: December 12

Dance: Tango to Enter Sandman 

Score: 23/30

Judge's comment:  'I think you have an epic attitude’ - Shirley Ballas

Dance: Also, the Charleston to (Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey

Score: 25/30

Judge's comment: ‘Loved it’ - Craig Revel Horwood

Final: December 19

Dance: A reprisal of their quickstep to Talk To The Animals by Bobby Darin (the judges' choice); showdance to 

Score: 29/30

Judge's comment: 'Consistently good, light and bright, adored it.' Craig Revel Horwood

Dance:  Showdance to the Show Must Go On by Queen

Score: 30/30

Judge's comment: 'It reeked of desperation and I think you should be committed.' Craig Revel Horwood (obviously tongue-in-cheek)

Dance; Reprisal of the street dance to Rapper's Delight from The Sugarhill Gang (the couple's choice)

Score: 29/30

Judge's comment: 'Star quality' - Motsi Mabute

Published: 19 Dec 2020