Bill Bailey: The man, the musician, the comic, the troll, the legend

20 years on from taking the Time Out Comedy Award

Making an impression

Although an amiable character much-respected by his peers – hence his film appearances in everything from Simon Pegg’s Hot Fuzz to Emma Thompson’s Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang – Bailey often produces work that’s more than a little cheeky. This was clearly demonstrated during a pro-busking demonstration; Bailey performing “Unisex Chip Shop”, a near perfect parody of songwriter Billy Bragg, with aplomb.

This musical task was completed with the very same Mister Bragg standing just a few feet behind him (well, they had sung “Unisex Chip Shop” together at Glastonbury a few years before so Bragg can’t have been too upset.)

Bill Bailey does a perfect impression of Billy Bragg as Billy Bragg looks on

Bailey can be much sharper with politicians as when, a few months before the last election, he effortlessly tore apart Milliband, Farage, Cameron and Clegg-weasel.

Bill Bailey on UK politics

He usually tends to be more observational than vitriolic, though, as in his recent light-hearted dig at the plethora of acronyms in contemporary social media, and the sheer aimlessness of much of it – “There’s people on Twitter following car-parks!” – something which struck a chord with younger fans even as they desperately texted each other.

Bill Bailey live 2013 – Internet Acronyms

In the same vein, Bailey’s take on contemporary West London accents – part Cockney, part Asian gangster, part Jamaican flyboy – remains as funny as it is relevant in today’s mixed up, mashed up multi-cultural capital.

Bill Bailey adapts TV theme tunes

Musical comedy remains his first love though and it was something he used during his appearance on the Royal Variety Show of 2012, a night that gave him a chance to play with car horns and the classical roots of well known TV themes.

This theme was something he brilliantly continued during his turn supporting Michael Macintyre at the latter’s Easter Night at the Coliseum earlier this year.

Bill Bailey on Downton Abbey Jamaican Dub Reggae Version