B ill Bailey has been entertaining fans for more than four decades as an award-winning comedian and multi-instrumentalist, blending comedy and music in his performances. After cutting his teeth on the 1980s standup circuit, Bailey went on to forge a successful career as a television regular and presenter on shows including Never Mind the Buzzcocks, QI and Bill Bailey’s Australian Adventure; in 2020 he won Strictly Come Dancing.

This autumn and winter he is touring the UK with his live show Vaudevillean .

What was the last treat you bought yourself?

It literally arrived this morning – a medieval instrument called a psaltery. It’s a bit like a dulcimer or zither, a kind of V shape you hold and pluck. That’s the sort of thing that I buy.

Pluck of the draw: a traditional psaltery in action.…