Bill Bailey thought he’d be the 'joke act' on Strictly amid fears of 'falling' mid-routine

He went on to say: “I had the full range of outcomes I’d prepared for, from being the joke act that goes out first, to actually even worse, just falling over in the middle of the routine, lurching, knocking one of the judges off their chair, setting fire to the studio, kicking a camera over, seeing the set burst into flames.”

Thankfully for Bill none of his fears came true and he is one of just five remaining couples in the competition.

Bill and Oti are up against EastEnders star Maisie Smith and her partner Gorka Marquez; GMB’s Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice; singer HRVY and Janette Manrara; and reality star Jamie Laing and his partner Karen Hauer.

No doubt Oti, the reigning champion, is hoping to retain her title after winning the competition with Ex-Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher last year.