Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left shocked after discovering that Bill Bailey’s real name isn’t actually Bill.
Fans of the hit BBC dancing show couldn’t believe their ears to find out the comedian was actually born Mark.
Rather than changing his name before entering the world of showbiz to stand out, the name was actually picked out for him by a teacher when he was younger.
Opening up about the name change, the star 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.
Bill Bailey’s real name is actually Mark (Image: BBC)
“I just got stuck with his name, Bill Bailey.”
Taking to Twitter one fan wrote after hearing the interview on Desert Island Disks: “Shocked to learn Bill Bailey’s real name isn’t Bill!”
Another added: “Just found out that Bill Bailey’s real name is Mark and I don’t know how to feel about that.”
A third chimed in: “I am uncomfortable in this knowledge.”
Bill wowed during the first week of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One (Image: PA)
He added that he was academically gifted during secondary school.
Bill said: “Say there were 12 subjects, I would win nine of them.
“That went on for the first three years of senior school.
“I found it very easy, it sounds arrogant to say so, but that was the truth of it.
“I did find it easy.”
Despite his impressive grades, Bill always knew he wanted a career in the spotlight even if his parents were unsure.
“[My parents] didn’t quite know what to do, but they were very understanding and they were very supportive,” he continued.
“They perhaps thought it was better off to let me do what they wanted to do, I think they were quite liberal in that regard.”
Over the weekend Bill made it through to the second week of Strictly after impressing viewers alongside professional dancer Oti Mabuse.
His Dr Doolittle themed performance saw him perform a Quickstep to Talk To The Animals alongside CGI creatures including a giant elephant.
Meanwhile, former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith became the first celeb to be sent home from the show alongside her dancing partner Anton du Beke.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
