How Bill Bailey danced his way to being the Strictly favourite

Comedian's route through the competition

Bill Bailey is the bookies’ favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing tonight.

The comic, who at 55 is the oldest contestant to have made the final, is at odds as short as 4/5 on to take the glittreball with his professional dancing partner Oti Mabuse. 

Although he has never topped the leaderboard, he appears to be a strong viewers’ favourite - and the winner is decided by public vote. 

Here is how he danced his way from expected ‘comedy contestant’ to much-admired finalist:

Week 1: October 24

Dance: Cha Cha Cha to Pata Pata by Miriam Makeba 

Score: 15/30

Judges’ 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

Judges’ 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

Judges’ comment: ‘You are extraordinarily fantastic’ - Shirley Ballas

Week 4: November 14

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

Score: 27/30

Judges’ 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

Judges’ 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

Judges’ 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

Judges’ comment: ‘Phantasmagorical’ – Craig Revel Horwood

Week 8: December 12

Dance: Tango to  Enter Sandman 

Score: 23/30

Judges’ 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

Judges’ comment: ‘Loved it’ - Craig Revel Horwood

Final: December 19

Dances: A reprisal of their quickstep to Talk To The Animals by Bobby Darin (the judges' choice); showdance to The Show Must Go On by Queen; and another reprial of the street dance to Rapper's Delight from The Sugarhill Gang (the couple's choice)

Score: We shall see!

Published: 19 Dec 2020

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