Strictly finalist Bill Bailey reveals his real name – explaining his geography teacher refused to call him Mark
STRICTLY Come Dancing finalist Bill Bailey has revealed the real reason he changed his name.
The comedian, 55, is hoping to dance his way to victory during this evening's grand final with partner Oti Mabuse tonight.
Bill was actually born Mark Robert Bailey.
Speaking previously on Desert Island Discs, the TV star explained how he became Bill.
The funnyman said: "I ended up as Bill because I had a geography teacher at school who decided this was my nickname.
"It was because of the song, the classic Won't You Come Home Bill Bailey.
"I just got stuck with his name, Bill Bailey," he added.
Bill's revelation comes as at it was revealed he is the bookies favourite to win the show
The TV star has been the underdog throughout the competition, but every week he has continued to impress the judges and viewers.
He has never been in the bottom two, and has stunned fans with his dancing skills.
Now it looks like his hard work could pay off as he is tipped to scoop the famous Glitterball Trophy.
Bill and Oti will be competing against EastEnders' actress Maisie Smith and her professional partner, Gorka Marquez, musician HRVY and Janette Manrara, and reality star Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer in the final.
But according to the bookies he will be the 2020 winner, with odds of 8/11.
HRVY is the next tipped to win at 7/4, while Maisie has a 6/1 shot with Jamie way back at 50/1.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "There's 34 years between them but it's Bill who heads the betting heading into the Strictly final, with HRVY just behind as things stand."
Meanwhile Bill today admitted he collapsed during his final rehearsals with dance partner Oti, following a tough week of practice.
The star has revealed that his "legs stopped working" during one of his last training sessions, causing him to fall over.
Writing in his Strictly column for Bill explained that one of his routines this Saturday sees him balancing on one knee.
But he added: "The long day's training must have taken it out of me, and the result was, as I started to rise, stylishly, not domestically, my legs just stopped working.
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"I froze in mid-air, and slowly toppled over onto one side.
"It looked like I’d been hit by a tranquiliser dart, in order to be put on a flatbed truck and moved to a different part of the game reserve."
- The Strictly final kicks off at 6pm on BBC1 TONIGHT.
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