'‘I’m not Lord of the Dance, I’m more Caretaker of the Dance'

Bill Bailey has officially been confirmed for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The comic’s involvement was reported last week, but he confirmed the news this morning on Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 breakfast.

He told the broadcaster: ‘A lot of comics are actually a bit like this - off-stage we love a bit of an adrenaline rush. We are always looking for new things and new challenges and this year when everything is so very, very strange and surreal, this is the time when we are looking to do that  and to learn a new skill, a new challenge.'

‘My dance history is a little patchy. I haven’t lived for the dance, like some people have.

‘I’m not Lord of the Dance, I’m more Caretaker of the Dance. It’s going to be quite a challenge, but then this is what this is all about.

‘My late mum Madrin would have loved it - I hope she'll be watching.’

He also joked that the Hokey-Cokey was one of his favourite dances and hoped to get it on to the show. And said that as he takes to the dancefloor, ‘my hair will be flying free… like a spaniel out of a car window’.

The 55-year-old comedian is said to have agreed after finding time on his hands as his live commitments evaporated because of coronavirus - although he did play at Newcastle's Virgin Money Unity Arena on Tuesday night.

Bailey has been approached to appear on the show several times, but previously said he turned it down because it was too ‘harsh’.

Speaking on the Graham Norton show in 2018, he said: ‘I've been asked a couple of times.  I like the idea of the dancing but it is so judgemental, which isn't for me.

‘I'd like to learn to dance without the critique.  It's pretty harsh and withering.’

Men Behaving Badly star Caroline Quentin, 60, has also been confirmed for the new season when it kicks off next month.

Other contestants confirmed include The Wanted singer Max George, Paralympics broadcaster JJ Chalmers, Radio 1’s Clara Amfo, Good Morning Britain's political editor Ranvir Singh, former NFL star turned broadcaster  Jason Bell, and Olympic boxer Nicola Adams, who will be in the show’s first same-sex couple. Further announcements are expected,

Published: 3 Sep 2020