Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Got a couple of a few parrots, oos and frogs ards.. It’s fun with animals
Nerational home and menagerie
able on iplayer, which attempts to redress the issue. he series gives eight people from all ks of life, who had dreamt of a life on e, their chance to achieve it, with ss to top casting directors and ma coaches. ome of those who took part have e on to secure roles in shows like erloo Road and Eastenders and get nts,” Bill says. “Arts education uldn’t be seen as a luxury, that’s why iding opportunities is so important.
So I do agree with Sir Keir. What bothers me is that arts subjects are deemed less important than other subjects.
“Access to arts is not just about getting jobs in the industry. It teaches you all kinds of other skills along the way.
“It builds confidence and awareness of others. It’s about life skills, soft skills you need to get on.”
Born in Bath in 1965, Bill went on to study music. After college, he began his career in stand-up before making his TV debut in the late 1980s children’s show
Motormouth, followed by CV highlights including panel shows and his role as Manny Bianco in the Bafta-winning Channel 4 cult sitcom Black Books.
Kristin has been at his side throughout. They met in 1987 and married in 1998.
Dax was born into a multi-generational home in 2003, as Bill’s mum, Madryn, lived with them until she died of bowel cancer in 2005.
Bill began working with Macmillan Cancer Support as a result, which remains important to him, particularly after losing his friend, fellow comedian Sean Lock, to the disease in 2021.
It’s clear as he chats about home life that Bill feels very lucky. He says: “Dax has only ever known living with his grandad. It’s nice, I grew up in a multigenerational household too.
“Our grandparents lived with us, along with my mum, dad, and me, it’s come full circle, the way life does sometimes.”
One of Bill’s favourite things is when three generations of Bailey men are able to enjoy time together. “Dax, me, and my dad all went to see the Dune film, and all bonded over that. Dax is a big fan of it, I’m a big fan, and my dad says, ‘Well, I’ve read all the original books.’
“So him and my son, they’re sharing notes, sharing books, it’s wonderful. “Something like that can span generations and spark conversations,” he says.
When it comes to talking to the animals, Bill was born to play Doctor Dolittle, played for laughs obviously, with a stubbed toe or two.
Bill is performing at outdoor shows in Glasgow, Scarborough and Halifax this summer, www.billbailey. co.uk/live, Bring the Drama is available on BBC iplayer.