Bill Bailey is the seventh celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 18th series of the NTA and Bafta award-winning entertainment show produced by BBC Studios will return in the autumn on BBC One putting the sparkle back into Saturday and Sunday nights.

Bill Bailey is an award-winning comedian, musician and actor

Bill says: “In these are strange times we're living through, it feels right to do something different and take on a new challenge. So I am delighted to be a part of this year's unique Strictly Come Dancing. My late mum Madrin would have loved it - I hope she'll be watching.”

Bill Bailey is a comedian, musician, author, documentary-maker and keen outdoors enthusiast best known for his live comedy and for the tv shows Black Books, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and QI. Bill is constantly in demand as an internationally touring comedian, and his live shows always feature ingenious and original musical elements drawing on Bill’s skills as a classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist. His unique ability to entertain and educate was brilliantly demonstrated in his award-winning show, Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide To The Orchestra, where he performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

The news was revealed this morning on The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2.

The remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series will be announced in due course.