Bill Bailey crowned 2020 Strictly Come Dancing winner

Comedian Bill Bailey has been crowned the winner of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, becoming the oldest celebrity to lift the glitterball trophy.

The 55-year-old shared his triumph with partner Oti Mabuse, the first Strictly dancer to win for two years in a row.

Bailey beat EastEnders’ Maisie Smith and singer HRVY at the end of Saturday’s grand final.

“It feel surreal, it feels extraordinary, it feels wonderful,” Bailey said as he was named the winner.

“I never thought we’d get this far, never thought we’d get to the final. But I have had the most extraordinary teacher and the most extraordinary dancer,” he added, paying tribute to Mabuse. “Someone who believed in me right from the beginning, and she found something in me and turned me into this, into a dancer.”

In response Mabuse told him: “I think you are amazing, remarkable. You just put your heart and soul into everything. Thank you for being a friend, a father figure to me, a brother, and for this [the glitterball trophy]!”

Actor Joe McFadden had been Strictly’s previous oldest winner, having won in 2017 at the age of 42. Mabuse, who has danced on Strictly since 2015, also won last year’s series with Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher.

Aliona Vilani is the only other pro dancer to have triumphed twice, having won with Harry Judd and Jay McGuinness in 2011 and 2015 respectively.

Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing also made it to this year’s final, having survived an unprecedented four dance-offs throughout the series.

Bailey is known for his appearances on QI, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and the Channel 4 sitcom Black Books.