Bill Bailey joins Strictly Come Dancing line-up for a heartbreaking reason
The comedian is set to get all glittered up for the dance show
Last updated 3rd Sep 2020
It's that time of the year again when Strictly Come Dancing starts to announce the latest batch of celebrities that have signed up to the dancing competition. From actors, comedians and sportspeople, the casting team at the BBC seem to have hit the nail on the head this year, and now the 2020 line-up has got even better.
Comedian Bill Bailey, best known for his frequent appearances on Never Mind The Buzzcocks, has been announced this morning (3rd September) as the latest celebrity daring to take to the dance floor.
Speaking to Zoe Ball after the news was announced on Strictly's official Twitter account, Bill said he signed up to the show because he's "always looking at new things (and) new challenges", adding he hoped to get an "adrenaline rush" from being on the programme.
However, he said the main reason he wanted to do the show was because his late mother would have loved his appearance. Bill said, "My late mum Madrin would have loved it - I hope she'll be watching."
Check out the official Strictly Come Dancing 2020 line-up
Caroline Quentin
Actress Caroline Quentin will take part in the 2020 series. She's most famous for roles in popular shows such as Men Behaving Badly and Jonathan Creek.
Max George
Former The Wanted star Max George will be hoping he can follow in the footsteps of his band mate Jay McGuiness, after Jay won the show back in 2015.
Jason Bell
Former American footballer Jason Bell will be showing off his moves on the dance floor! He's also the ex-boyfriend of Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle.
Ranvir Singh
Good Morning Britain presenter will be mixing early morning and grueling rehearsals as she's signed up for the 2020 series.
Nicola Adams OBE
Olympic boxing champion Nicola Adams will make history on the show as she's set to be part of the first ever same-sex pairing on Strictly Come Dancing.
Clara Amfo
Radio and TV presenter Clara Amfo has also been confirmed for the 2020 line-up!
Bill Bailey
Comedian Bill Bailey revealed he decided to take part in the show for a new 'challenge', admitting his late mum would have loved watching him on the show.
JJ Chalmers
Scottish TV presenter JJ Chalmers has also joined the line-up! The former Royal Marine is best known for being a public speaker and an Invictus Games medallist.
JJ suffered some life-changing injuries in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2011.
Jamie Laing
After being forced to quit the show in 2019 due to injury, Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing is back to show off his moves in 2020!
Maisie Smith
EastEnders actress Maisie Smith, who plays the role of Tiffany Butcher on the BBC soap, has also been announced in the line-up.
HRVY
Pop star HRVY, real name Harvey Leigh Cantwell, is the 11th celebrity to join the line-up.
Jacqui Smith
The line-up is completed by former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith.
But realistically, how far will Bill go in the competition? Well, he's confessed his "dance history is a little patchy", revealing, "I haven't been to stage school, haven't lived for the dance as some may have done.
"I'm not Lord of the Dance. More sort of Caretaker of the Dance, going to be quite a challenge... that's what this is all about!"
He's there for the experience and we love that!
Bill's exciting announcement comes after actress Caroline Quentine, The Wanted's Max George, Olympic boxer Nicola Adams, former American footballer Jason Bell, DJ Clara Amfo and Good Morning Britain's Ranvir Singh were all confirmed to be appearing on the BBC One show.
However, there will be some changes this year, including no group dances, no live studio audience and no Bruno Tonioli, who will instead feature on the Sunday night results show from his home in LA while he films Dancing With The Stars.