Bill Bailey recalls 'mischievous' bid to perform at Eurovision

Virgin Radio

10 Jun 2024, 11:41

The comedian, Bill Bailey, shares his mischievous attempt to rock the Eurovision stage and inspires a new generation with his musical mastercrafters.

When it comes to blending humour, music, and a love for the Eurovision Song Contest, few can match the sheer enthusiasm and eccentricity of Bill Bailey.

The multi-talented comedian, musician, and Strictly Come Dancing champion recently shared some delightful anecdotes about his mischievous attempt to represent the UK at Eurovision.

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Speaking with virginradio.co.uk, Bailey revealed how his quirky, tongue-in-cheek entry was deemed 'too silly' by the BBC, and how his passion for Eurovision has influenced his career and inspired his latest project, Bill Bailey's Musical Mastercrafters: Kids Special.

Bailey recounted his playful yet serious endeavour to break into the Eurovision scene, saying: "I was slightly mischievous when I suggested that. I was being slightly serious about it. I mean, many years ago, me and a friend of mine, we actually wrote a Eurovision song. And I sent it to the BBC.

"And they said it was too silly. I was like, what? Too silly for Eurovision? Come on. It was an eco-anthem. It might have been too much of a ballad. I think they realised I was being slightly tongue in cheek."

The comic, known for his sharp wit and musical prowess, penned an 'eco-anthem' inspired by the classic British sitcom Dad’s Army, titled 'Put That Light Out Mr. Hodges.'

Despite his conviction that the song had a winning chance, the BBC turned it down, perhaps missing out on a potential Eurovision gem.

Bailey, at the time, humorously pointed out: "You’d be surprised how many people have seen Dad’s Army in the former Soviet states."

Reflecting on the enduring charm of Eurovision, Bailey said: "It’s extraordinary. It defies expectation at Eurovision, it defies it, you can’t really categorise what it is. It’s an extraordinary event. And it’s the fact that it’s still going. And it’s now more popular than ever.

"You know, more people watched the last one, I think, than ever before. It’s become a hugely, hugely popular event. And it is just fantastic. I don’t think I’ve ever missed one."

Bailey's love affair with Eurovision began when he was nine years old. He fondly recalled the unique appeal of the competition: "How could it not be? Just everything about it all, going around all the different countries, 'Hello!' And then all these different weird presenters, they’re like, you know, sort of from these different countries and, and it was like a window into the whole of Europe, you think, 'Wow, look at these people! What language do they speak and where, who’s this? Where are they coming from?'"

In 2021, Bailey spoke on ITV's Lorraine about a strategy the UK should adopt in order to win Eurovision.

Utilising his musical expertise, Bailey said: "There’s lots of things we have to address, the key for example. I’m a bit of a Eurovision nerd - we’ve been doing these upbeat things in the Major Key. The last 10 winners were all in the Minor Key. We’ve got to be moody - don’t mention heart, don’t mention walking."

Bailey's analytical approach highlights his dedication to understanding the intricacies of Eurovision success.

The UK's last victory was in 1997 with Katrina and the Waves' Love Shine a Light.

Even Sam Ryder’s commendable performance with Space Man in 2022, which won the audience vote, wasn't enough to secure the top spot, underscoring the complexity of winning Eurovision.

Beyond his Eurovision exploits, Bailey is passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians.

His latest project, Bill Bailey's Musical Mastercrafters: Kids Special, coincides with Access All Arts Week, an initiative aimed at bringing arts education to primary schools.

Bailey explained: "It’s a kids special. This came about because of my involvement with Sky Arts, which started last year when I presented a show called Bill Bailey’s Mastercrafters, and that was very much about celebrating heritage crafts that are endangered, things like stained glass making, wood carving, and so on."

He continued: "This is actually another program, a special that I’m making. And it’s just about teaching kids the importance of music, trying to inspire in them a love of music, but also to look at the instruments that they play.

"And also to find out a little bit about who makes these instruments, who looks after them, who kind of maintains them. And really to sort of learn about the whole, the whole history of music through the instruments."

Bailey’s enthusiasm for music dates back to his own childhood, and he hopes to instil that same passion in today’s youth.

He added: "I’m always curious about music, about ways of making music. And that started when I was a kid. So here I am now, you know, a few years down the track, and I’m still as enthused about it as I was then."

Whether he's crafting a 'moody' Eurovision hit or teaching kids the joys of music, Bailey's zest for life and the arts shines through, much like the enduring legacy of the Eurovision Song Contest itself.

Bill Bailey’s Musical Master Crafters: Juniors will air on 20 June at 8pm on Sky Arts.

For more info on All Access Arts week follow this link here.