He’s been making us laugh for decades as a star of stand-up and hit TV shows.
But when he’s not appearing on screen or stage Bill Bailey likes to indulge his wild side…as a registered zookeeper.
The comedian, 55, has always had dogs but started taking in animals who needed a home.
Now he has built up his own mini zoo with hens, pigeons, starlings, frogs, parrots and ducks, which he cares for with wife Kristin and son Dax.
Bill says: “It came about because we started to look after animals people couldn’t find a home for. Word got out and it kind of grew from there.
The comedian has always had pooches but started taking in animals who needed a home (Image: (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) CHANNEL 4 PICTURE PUBLICITY 124 HORSEFERRY ROAD LONDON SW1P 2TX)
“We’ve become a sort of mini rescue. We’re not open to the public, we haven’t got a gift shop and a turnstile. It means we look after them to a certain standard.
“It’s great having animals around – they’re wonderful company and they’re endlessly entertaining.”
Bill, who makes his debut on Strictly this month, loves taking his dogs everywhere with him and has even brought some on tour.
But they probably won’t be making an appearance in the ballroom though – as his pup Rocky has previously upstaged him.
Bill says: “I was doing a show once and he wandered on to the stage. I was in the middle of telling a story and then suddenly everybody just applauded and I thought, ‘That went well’.
He has built up his own mini zoo with hens, pigeons, starlings, frogs, parrots and ducks (Image: Middleton Guardian)
“Of course, I looked around and Rocky had just sauntered on the stage. He just stood there wagging his tail and looking at me, he wasn’t phased by the audience. It was like he was performing!
“I told him a joke and he yawned, curled up and went to sleep. Of course, that brought the house down.”
After Rocky wandered off stage, the audience started to shout for him to come back on.
Bill adds: “I was actually contemplating it being a regular thing.”
The Bath-born comic – who has appeared in shows including Black Books, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and most recently Sky’s In The Long Run with Idris Elba – reckons his canine companions have been a lifeline for him through lockdown.
Bill Bailey and actor Peter Egan hand a petition to the Indonesian Embassy in London to protest about the country’s appetite for dog meat in 2018 (Image: Philip Coburn)
“Some days you start to drift a bit,” he says. “It’s very difficult to be creative and focus and have some sort of shape to the day.
“Having pets gives you that. It gives you routine. You have to feed the dog, you have to walk it. Responsibility gives you a purpose. And purpose is very good for mental health.”
Bill even donated one of his dogs to his elderly dad during lockdown after his own West Highland Terrier died just before Christmas.
He says: “Lockdown meant my dad was going to be on his own. And he’d been with a dog for years. He knew one of ours, and they got along so we donated her to my dad. They’re getting along famously now. She’s great company for him.”
Bill has even loaned them out for a weekend to friends who have been thinking about getting a dog as he reckons that’s a great way to work out if you really want one in your life.
Bill said: ‘It’s great having animals around – they’re wonderful company and they’re endlessly entertaining’ (Image: PA)
But he worries some people just take a pup on impulse.
Bill says: “On a whim is not the right way to go about it. You have to really think it through – if you’re able to give the dog a good home, if it’s got company and isn’t going to be left on its own for long periods, if you’re aware of the responsibilities and you’re prepared to commit to the change in your life.
“Then, of course, dogs are wonderful companions and they give unconditional love. But it is a big commitment – make sure you are able to look after it.”
That is why he has taken time out of his busy Strictly training regime to back our campaign. We are launching our own Star Paws 2021 calendar, featuring 12 readers’ dogs, to raise money for Blue Cross.
Bill knows the great work done by the charity and has even visited the founding hospital in Victoria, south-west London, with injured animals he has found.
He says: “I think the campaign is a great idea and very timely. People love taking pictures of their dogs, you only have to look on social media. It’s a wonderful way to raise awareness for the Blue Cross which is a wonderful organisation.
“They’ve been looking after animals and promoting the responsible ownership of animals for a long time.”
The comedian has a book out later this month called Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to Happiness.
He laughs: “I can’t do a book about happiness and not mention dogs!”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
