Strictly Come Dancing winner needed ‘unbelievable’ transformation after becoming fire hazard-Adam Miller-Entertainment – Metro

The Strictly winner chopped all their hair off after becoming health and safety concern (Picture: BBC)

Bill Bailey was famed for his signature long hair and goatee – but had an image overhaul after becoming a fire hazard.

The Strictly Come Dancing winner, 59, joins Bruce Springsteen, Amy Adams and Vanessa Williams on tonight’s The Graham Norton Show where he explains why he ended up cutting his trademark ‘skullet’.

‘I was on a hiking holiday in the summer and at one point I was leaning over a barbeque and my hair caught on fire,’ he told Graham.

‘I think the universe was telling me it was time.’

However, the transformation seems to be paying off already.

Bill continued: ‘The other day someone came up to me and said, “You look just like Bill Bailey, but younger.” It’s great.’

Bill was reknown for his signature look (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)

BIll shows off his new look on The Graham Norton Show (Picture: PA Wire)

Bill first unveiled his new look back in June, teasing he’d ‘had a bit of a trim this summer’.

The reactions ranged from Dawn French responding ‘phwoar’ to his former Strictly partner Oti Mabuse posting: ‘I still cannot believe this!!!!!!! UNBELIEVABLE.’

The Black Books star joins Graham to discuss his new memoir, My Animals and Other Animals, which he explained he a reflection of his life through various encounters with, as the title suggests, animals.

Sharing on of the book’s many wild anecdotes, he said: ‘I was doing a documentary about jaguars in Brazil and got to meet a jaguar on an army base. 

‘I was nervous and when I asked for any tips on how to behave around the animal one guy said, “always approach from the front.”

‘I thought it seemed a bit aggressive but thought okay.  Then, when I was walking towards it, he said, “Oh, sorry, never approach from the front. Sorry, my English is not so good!”’

The Graham Norton Show airs tonight at 10.40pm on BBC One.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Entertainment – MetroRead More