Strictly’s Bill Bailey says he MUST win the show as his friends have placed bets on him

He has defied expectations on Strictly Come Dancing with his impressive dance moves as he continues to nail his routines alongside dance partner Oti Mabuse.

And Bill Bailey has revealed that he is desperate to win this year’s competition because a lot of his friends have confidently placed bets on him.

The stand-up comedian, 55, was initially expected to be a ‘joke act’, but quickly surprised Strictly viewers and is well on his way towards the final in two weeks’ time.

Pressure on! Bill Bailey has revealed that he is desperate to win this year’s competition because a lot of his friends have confidently placed bets on him

And a determined Bill has admitted that he is definitely feeling the ‘pressure’ to win Strictly because his friends’ Christmases heavily depend on his victory.

He told The Sun: ‘There has been quite some betting going on, it’s mainly my friends. They keep texting me every week when we get through, saying, “Well done, Bill, keep going, we’re betting on you”.

‘There will be a lot of people that I will be paying for Christmas if I make it all the way, I have a lot of pressure on my shoulders.’

The musician also revealed that he has lost a staggering stone-and-a-half during his stint on the hit BBC dance contest.

Betting: The stand-up comedian, 55, was initially expected to be a 'joke act', but quickly surprised Strictly viewers and is well on his way towards the final in two weeks' time

Betting: The stand-up comedian, 55, was initially expected to be a ‘joke act’, but quickly surprised Strictly viewers and is well on his way towards the final in two weeks’ time

And his slimmed-down figure almost caused him embarrassment while he was filming for The One Show, as he hysterically almost flashed viewers. 

He told The Sun: ‘I’ve certainly lost weight – a lot of clothes feel baggy.’

Bill has not only surprised fans with his incredible dancing feet, but has also shocked himself, as he admitted he did not think he’d be able to ‘keep up’ with the training.

Speaking to The Guardian‘s G2 Magazine last month, he said it felt ‘extraordinary’ that he’s done so well in the competition so far.

He revealed: ‘People would assume I wouldn’t be able to even keep up with the training, but I’ve surprised myself. 

Wow! The musician also revealed that he has lost a staggering stone-and-a-half during his stint on the hit BBC dance contest  (pictured at the start of the show in October)

Wow! The musician also revealed that he has lost a staggering stone-and-a-half during his stint on the hit BBC dance contest  (pictured at the start of the show in October) 

Hilarious! And his slimmed-down figure almost caused him embarrassment while he was filming for The One Show, as he hysterically almost flashed viewers (pictured at start of show in October)

Now: Bill pictured last week on the show

Hilarious! And his slimmed-down figure almost caused him embarrassment while he was filming for The One Show, as he hysterically almost flashed viewers (pictured at start of show in October, left, and last week, right) 

‘I do a routine, watch it back and think: “What happened there?” I can’t quite believe I’m able to do it.’

Head judge Shirley Ballas has previously described Bill as a ‘role model’ for many middle-aged men watching the show as he continues to defy expectations.

Looking back at his childhood, Bill explained to the publication that his mother loved ballroom dancing and had him attend a few lessons as a pre-teen.

However things didn’t go well at the time, as Bill claimed: ‘I was a self-conscious 12-year-old boy.

‘I thought: I can’t do this… and then a mere four and a half decades later, here I am!’

Last week wasn’t Bill’s most successful dance on the show, as he scored 24 points which placed him in joint fourth place alongside Jamie Laing and his pro partner Karen Hauer. 

But he is raring up to make a comeback on Saturday night, as he will take on Musical Week alongside the other five remaining contestants.

The fan-favourite and his South African dance partner, 30, will perform the Argentine Tango to the Phantom Of The Opera during this week’s tense contest. 

It comes after fans said goodbye to DJ Clara Amfo, 36, and her pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec, 30, last Sunday, after they lost in the dance-off to Made In Chelsea star Jamie, 32, and his partner Karen, 38.

Strictly Come Dancing continues this Saturday at 7.25pm and Sunday at 7.30pm on BBC One. 

Shock: Bill has not only surprised fans with his incredible dancing feet, but has also shocked himself, as he admitted he did not think he'd be able to 'keep up' with the training

Shock: Bill has not only surprised fans with his incredible dancing feet, but has also shocked himself, as he admitted he did not think he’d be able to ‘keep up’ with the training