Bill Bailey

Bill Bailey (born Mark Robert Bailey, 13 January 1965) is an English musician, comedian, actor, and television presenter best known for his role as Manny in the sitcom *Black Books* (2000–2004) and his frequent appearances on panel shows such as *Never Mind the Buzzcocks*, *Have I Got News for You*, and *QI*. Born in England, Bailey began his career in stand-up comedy, where he developed a distinctive style that blends musical performance with humor, playing a variety of instruments. He was named one of *The Observer*'s 50 funniest acts in British comedy in 2003 and was voted the seventh greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's *100 Greatest Stand-Ups* in 2007 and 2010. His film work includes a role in *Hot Fuzz*. In 2020, at age 55, he won the 18th series of *Strictly Come Dancing* with professional partner Oti Mabuse, becoming the show's oldest winner. A cancer fundraiser, he walked 100 miles in honor of his mother, who died in 2005, and has raised awareness for prostate cancer. Bailey received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bath in 2018 and became a patron of the Musical Comedy Awards in 2024. He has authored books including *Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to British Birds*, *Bill Bailey's Remarkable Guide to Happiness*, and the memoir *My Animals, and Other Animals*. In comics, he is credited as artist, inker, and letterer on 14 issues from 1953 to 1998, with notable work on *Agent X9*, *Året runt / Vårt hem*, *CHC Presents*, and *Paul Temple*.