He is hoping to bag a spot in the much-anticipated final on this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing.
But Bill Bailey left fans gobsmacked, and not because of his dance moves, during Saturday night’s semi-final after revealing that his real name is Mark.
The comedian, 55, and pro Oti Mabuse danced the Charleston to the aptly-named tune (Won’t You Come Home) Bill Bailey by Ottilie Patterson with Chris Barber.
Sorry what?! Strictly’s Bill Bailey left fans gobsmacked during Sunday night’s episode after revealing that his real name is, in fact, Mark
And speaking in his VT, Bill revealed that his real name is Mark and he was first given the nickname Bill by his geography teacher at school because of the classic tune.
Bill, whose full name is Mark Robert Bailey, said the nickname has stuck ‘ever since’, which led him to adopt Bill as his stage name.
He explained: ‘My name is Mark Bailey but when I was at school, my geography teacher, who knew this song, started calling me Bill Bailey.
‘I was nicknamed Bill Bailey and I’ve been Bill Bailey ever since – because of this song!’
Confused: The comedian, 55, said he was given the nickname Bill by a teacher because of the song, (Won’t You Come Home) Bill Bailey, which he and Oti Mabuse danced to in the semi-final
Gobsmacked: But Strictly fans could not believe the TV star’s revelation, quickly taking to Twitter to share their complete shock and confusion
But Strictly fans could not believe the TV star’s revelation, quickly taking to Twitter to share their complete shock and confusion.
One shocked viewer penned: ‘Of all the things 2020 could throw at me, Bill Bailey dropping the bombshell that his name is actually Mark was not one of them’
While another simply wrote: ‘@BillBailey real names mark! Who knew’ (sic)
And a third tweeted: ‘Strictly Scandal of 2020 – Bill Bailey is actually MARK BAILEY! Absolutely shooketh’
A fourth also said: ‘Bill Bailey’s real name is Mark! Mind blown’
Bombshell: One shocked viewer penned: ‘Of all the things 2020 could throw at me, Bill Bailey dropping the bombshell that his name is actually Mark was not one of them’
His ‘mind-blowing’ revelation comes after Bill admitted that his experiences on the dance floor have not always been positive.
Speaking to The Mirror, he revealed that he is still scarred by the memory of being turned down by a girl at a teenage disco.
The Black Books actor’s impressive dancing feet had sadly failed to impress his crush, getting rejected after bravely asking if she wanted to dance with him.
He told the publication: ‘I suddenly feel a pang of sympathy for this tiny, fragile would-be suitor, and for a minute I am reminded of being 16, at the disco, after having being turned down by a girl I asked to dance.’
But Bill has since improved his dancing moves, as he hopes to secure a spot in Strictly’s final next week – despite preparing himself to be the ‘joke act’.
Semi-final: As well as bagging a score of 25 for their Charleston, the dancing duo also scored 23 out of 30 for their tango to Enter Sandman by Metallica
In a new interview, Bill opened up on his surprise at being a natural on the dance floor, adding that he fully expected to be the complete opposite.
When asked if he thought he’d be as good as he is, Bill told The Mirror: ‘Not at all. I fully expected not to be able to do it.
‘I had the full range of outcomes I’d prepared for, from being the joke act that goes out first, to actually even worse, just falling over in the middle of the routine, lurching, knocking one of the judges off their chair, setting fire to the studio, kicking a camera over, seeing the set burst into flames.’
Despite starting as a 50-1 outsider to win when the BBC show kicked off in October, the Never Never Mind The Buzzcocks star has become a fan-favourite.
Heartbreak: His ‘mind-blowing’ revelation comes after Bill revealed that he is still scarred by the memory of being turned down by a girl at a teenage disco
Both audiences and judges have been impressed by his dedication, musicality and overall commitment to improving his dance skills week-by-week.
During Saturday’s semi-final, Bill and his South African partner, 30, performed two dances in the hope of securing a spot in the final.
As well as bagging a score of 25 for their Charleston, the dancing duo also scored 23 out of 30 for their tango to Enter Sandman by Metallica.
If they survive this week, then they reach the coveted grand final and have a chance of competing for the glitterball trophy.
Discussing the prospect, Bill remarked: ‘Reaching the final, who knows. It would be wonderful just to get to get that last push.’