...and why he shaved off hs ‘skullet'

Bill Bailey has told how he nearly came a cropper thanks to a language barrier.

The comic appears on the Graham Norton show tonight to talk about his new book My Animals, and Other Animals, describing it as ‘a memoir of sorts but not in the traditional way.  It is episodes through my life told about the animals I have encountered’

Recounting one of the anecdotes in his book he says: ‘I was doing a documentary about jaguars in Brazil and got to meet a jaguar on an army base.  

‘I was nervous and when I asked for any tips on how to behave around the animal, one guy said, "always approach from the front".

‘I thought it seemed a bit aggressive but thought okay.  Then, when I was walking towards it, he said, ‘Oh, sorry, never approach from the front.  Sorry, my English is not so good!’"

Bailey also spoke about getting his trademark ‘skullet' cut off. He says: ‘was on a hiking holiday in the summer and at one point I was leaning over a barbecue and my hair caught on fire.  I think the universe was telling me it was time.’

And the comedian is glad he did it, recalling: ‘The other day someone came up to me and said, "You look just like Bill Bailey, but younger." It’s great.’

Bruce Springsteen, Amy Adams and Vanessa Williams are also on the show – which airs at 10.40pm on BBC One tonight – with music from St. Vincent.

Published: 18 Oct 2024