Bill Bailey's entertaining - if imperfect - Strictly semi-final

It's not a traditional track for a tango – but Bill Bailey perfumed the Argentinan dance to Metallica's metal anthem Enter Sandman last night.

The comic and his professional dance partner Oti Mabuse ended last night's semi-final joint third out of the five remaining couples.

Each pair performed two routines, with Bailey and Mabuse also doing the Charleston to the track he was probably always destined to dance to: (Won't You Come Home) Bill Bailey.

The comic was born Mark but a teacher nicknamed him Bill after the song, and it stuck.

They scored 25 for the Charleston and 23 for the tango, which included a couple of missteps – and a minor collision with a cameraman as they scored around the room.

Their total of 48 put them behind Maisie Smith's near-perfect 60 and HRVY's 53, level with  Jamie Laing and comfortably clear of Ravir Singh's 44.

Stating she was a 'heavy metal fan', judge Shirley Ballas said of Bailey's tango: 'I think you have an epic attitude but unfortunately there were some balance issues and some footwork was unacceptable.

Motsi Mabuse added: 'Epic in some ways,,, that was so entertaining', and Craig Revel Horwood added: 'You are always a surprise, I loved that.'

Of the Charleston, Revel Horwood praised Bailey's fantastic swivel, adding: 'Torso a bit square but you hit all the right positions, loved it."'

Ballas enjoyed Bill’s comic edge, but said she wanted 'more musicality in the body ' and Motsi declared it  great performance, adding: 'You've improve your weight position since the jive and you're always fun.'

Published: 13 Dec 2020