
Strictly Come Dancing winner who made show history looks '10 years younger' says fans
Bill Bailey, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, appeared on BBC Breakfast on Thursday but fans were more distracted with his new look
Bill Bailey won the show in 2020 with Oti Mabuse
(Image: BBC/Guy Levy )
Strictly Come Dancing champion Bill Bailey has caused quite a stir among BBC Breakfast viewers with his revamped image.
The 60-year-old multi-talented star graced the iconic red sofa on Thursday (June 26) to discuss his forthcoming tour with presenters Naga Munchetty and Ben Thompson.
Yet, it wasn't long before the focus shifted to his appearance, as Bill showcased a neatly trimmed hairstyle, a stark contrast to his signature flowing mane.
Presenter Naga queried: "Are you ever going to grow your hair again?". To which Bill responded: "I quite like the short hair."
Naga offered words of encouragement to the guest, remarking: "It looks lovely" while Bill chimed in: "Especially now in the hot weather. It's great.", reports Edinburgh Live.
The comedian left BBC Breakfast viewers distracted with his new look
(Image: BBC )
Article continues below
Bill's fresh haircut didn't just capture the studio's attention; viewers at home were quick to comment, with some suggesting he looked significantly younger.
On X, previously known as Twitter, one admirer wrote: "#bbcbreakfast He looks ten years younger."
Another viewer expressed: "He looks better with that straggly hair cut off #bbcbreakfast."
Meanwhile, a third observer noted: "Bill has cut his hair off #bbcbreakfast."
Bill had previously disclosed that his decision to chop off his locks came after a close call last year during a barbecue mishap.
Bill showcased a neatly trimmed hairstyle
(Image: BBC )
While on The Graham Norton Show, Bill recounted: "I was on a hiking holiday in the summer and at one point I was leaning over a barbecue and my hair caught on fire. I think the universe was telling me it was time."
The television personality shared an amusing anecdote about being mistaken for a more youthful version of himself, saying: "The other day someone came up to me and said 'You look just like Bill Bailey, but younger'. It's great."
Bill clinched the Strictly Come Dancing title alongside his dance partner Oti Mabuse in 2020.
Article continues below
Bill Bailey
(Image: PA )
This triumph was particularly noteworthy as it saw Bill become the oldest contestant ever to win the show, while Oti made history by becoming the first professional dancer to secure back-to-back victories, having previously won in 2019 with ex-Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher.
BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

The National
25 minutes ago
- The National
Gary Linker hits out at BBC for dropping Gaza documentary
The former Match of the Day presenter openly criticised the BBC for the first time since he left in May, saying people at 'the very top' of the broadcaster had been failing over the conflict. Lineker's comments come after Channel 4 picked up the documentary, Gaza: Doctors Under Attack, which the BBC would not air despite commissioning the programme, citing concerns that it would 'not meet the high standards' of impartiality. The former footballer turned broadcaster left Match of the Day after he apologised for sharing online material with antisemitic connotations. READ MORE: Senior BBC staff told to 'step back' from duties following Bob Vylan Glastonbury set According to The Guardian, a 'clearly emotional' Lineker was speaking at a private viewing of the Gaza medics documentary in London on Thursday night, where he led a question-and-answer session with the producers after the showing. 'It needed to be seen, it really did need to be seen – I think everyone would agree with that,' he said. 'I think the BBC should hold its head in shame. Lineker added: 'As someone who's worked for the corporation for 30 years, to see the way it's declined in the last year or two has been devastating really, because I've defended it and defended it against claims that it's partial. It talks about impartiality all the time. 'The truth is at the moment, [there is a problem] at the very top of the BBC. Not [all] the BBC because there are thousands and thousands of people that work at the BBC, that are good people, that understand what is going on here and can see it. 'We see it on our phones every day. The problem is they're bowing to the pressure from the top. This is a worry and I think time's coming where a lot of people are going to be answerable to this, and complicity is something that will come to many.' The BBC did not wish to respond to Lineker's comments, according to reports. Responding to a video of Lineker's comments, BBC Radio 5 presenter Nihal Arthanayake said: 'Gary Lineker is a good man. He is spot on about the BBC.' The BBC had commissioned Gaza: Doctors Under Attack more than a year ago from the independent production company Basement Films, but had delayed airing it until an ongoing review into a different programme on the region was completed. The broadcaster said in June it would not show the film due to concerns it may create 'a perception of partiality that would not meet the high standards that the public rightly expect'. Following the BBC's decision to drop the film, there has reportedly been considerable internal unrest over the failure to broadcast the programme, with the corporation's director general, Tim Davie, facing questions about it at a recent virtual meeting with staff. More than 100 BBC staff signed a letter criticising the decision to drop the film. Some 111 BBC journalists have also called for Robbie Gibb, the controversial BBC board member for England, to be removed from the role over his impact on the broadcaster's reporting. Gibb's position on the BBC editorial standards committee is also 'untenable' as his well-known political affiliations mean the BBC is not reporting on Israel 'without fear or favour', a letter coordinated by BBC insiders said.


Daily Mirror
31 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Strictly Come Dancing star turns down Oasis tour tickets in furious rant
A former Strictly Come Dancing contestant has revealed that she doesn't know "anything" about Oasis despite the iconic brothers returning to the stage for the first time in 16 years Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Ann Widdecombe wasn't too impressed when she heard Oasis for the first time on today's Jeremy Vine programme, admitting that she wouldn't see them in concert. The band of brothers are reuniting on stage for the first time in 16 years tonight at Cardiff's Principality Stadium to kick off their highly-anticipated tour. However, former politician and reality star Ann revealed that she wasn't a fan - and hadn't even heard their music before - while appearing on Jeremy Vine's Channel 5 show. When Jeremy said that he knew she wasn't impressed by the iconic musicians, Ann said: "I don't know anything about Oasis. My acquaintance with pop music stopped with Cliff Richard and the Shadows." Ann then listened to the band for the very first time live on-air, with Jeremy placing a pair of headphones and a bucket hat on her head. Listening to Oasis hit Morning Glory, she shook her head before telling Jeremy: "The only thing I could make out there was an exhortation to wake up." She added: "First of all, the headphones were on over my hat which probably didn't altogether help. Secondly, the only lyric I could make out was 'wake up, wake up'. Morning Glory is the plant that you find in Kenya." When Jeremy told her that the phrase has other meanings, she said: "Oh has it? I don't want to know anymore." Jeremy then began to speak to a listener who is heading to the gig tonight and began to ask whether he would take Ann if he had a spare ticket - however, Ann soon interrupted. "No, no, no, no. I've been to one pop concert in my entire life and that was under duress because my niece could only go if I went with her," she said. "It was Boyzone. I like Shane Lynch because we were in Big Brother together but I would not want to go to a pop concert again. "It's loud. I had ear muffs, I actually to ear muffs with me and you have to stand up all the time and everybody around you is doing all this nonsense. No." Thousands of fans are descending on Cardiff for tonight's Oasis return and the band have made a last minute change to their line-up just hours before the gig. Backing vocalist Jess Greenfield is no longer listed in the tour programme despite being announced to perform with the group.


Daily Mirror
33 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Soap fans left fuming over 'stupid' change as episodes slashed from schedules
Soap fans have been left furious after finding out 'the only happy part of their day' has vanished as Coronation Street, Emmerdale and EastEnders are all off air on Thursday and Friday British soap fans have been left furious after a sweeping scheduling shake-up has wiped their favourite shows from TV listings this week. Viewers hoping to settle in for their usual dose of drama from Emmerdale, Coronation Street and EastEnders have been met with disappointment, as all three major soaps have been pulled from the schedules tonight and tomorrow due to a summer of sporting action. Emmerdale, which normally airs an hour-long episode on Thursdays, and EastEnders, which typically treats fans to a 30-minute trip to Albert Square, have both vanished from last night's schedule. Meanwhile, Coronation Street, which doesn't usually air on Thursdays, will also be missing from screens tonight, leaving fans with an unusually long wait for their next visit to Weatherfield. The disruption has sparked outrage among devoted soap viewers, many of whom have taken to social media to vent their frustrations. One angry fan fumed: "Why have we no Emmerdale or Corrie, cause women's football on ITV? Why can't the football move to ITV2 or ITVX? Stupid planning. The soaps must have much higher viewers than women's football, a lot of people unhappy." Another ranted: "This is actually a full-on joke. It's about time ITV came up with a solution to suit all!! Some of us rely on soaps for routine and they are the only happy part of our day! YOU HAVE ITVX AND SEVERAL OTHER CHANNELS! Sort it out ITV!!" A third viewer added: "This annoys me so much. I hate soap schedule changes due to football. Watching soaps at night makes my nights better as it gives me escapism from my daily life." The changes come as the BBC and ITV juggle coverage of both Wimbledon and the Women's Euros, leaving little room in prime-time schedules for regular soap broadcasts. Tonight, ITV will broadcast live coverage from Sweden as Portugal take on Spain, while Friday will see Germany face off against Poland, forcing Coronation Street off air once again. EastEnders fans were treated to double episodes earlier in the week, with two back-to-back episodes airing on both Monday and Tuesday. While many rushed to iPlayer to watch the drama early, others found themselves having to switch over to BBC Two to catch their fix at the usual 7pm slot. Unfortunately for fans, the disruption isn't over yet. EastEnders won't be back on air until next Wednesday, although viewers can look forward to another double bill once the soap returns. Emmerdale fans will have a slightly shorter wait, as the show is set to return at 7.30pm next Tuesday (July 8). However, Coronation Street fans face an even longer gap, as both the usual Monday and Wednesday episodes will also be cancelled next week due to further football coverage. Instead, Weatherfield drama will resume on Thursday at the later time of 9pm.