Comedian and musician Bill Bailey has spent more than four decades entertaining audiences, starting on the 1980s standup circuit before becoming a television staple. He is known for his work on shows such as Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI, and he presented Bill Bailey’s Australian Adventure. In 2020, Bailey competed on and won Strictly Come Dancing, a victory that added a dance title to his extensive resume. He is currently preparing for his live show Vaudevillean, which begins a UK tour on 5 November and runs through 13 December.
Medieval Instruments and Rare Gifts
Bailey’s shopping habits often reflect his deep interest in music and history. He recently received a medieval instrument called a psaltery, which he described as arriving that very morning. The instrument is shaped like a V and is held and plucked, similar to a dulcimer or zither. Bailey noted that this is the kind of unique item he typically buys, appreciating the complexity of instruments that seem simple at first glance but reveal many possibilities as one learns to play them.
His appreciation for music also influences the gifts he gives and receives. He gifted a Gibson Les Paul guitar to his godson, enjoying the sight of someone immersing themselves in the instrument. On the receiving end, Bailey recalled a surprise birthday present from his wife. While he was performing a standup residency in the West End, she arranged for the crew to swap his standard electric guitar for a rare vintage white Gibson during the interval. The instrument had a bow tied around its neck. Bailey said the surprise was so overwhelming that it almost derailed his performance in the second half.
For musical accessories, Bailey relies on the online store Thomann. He uses the retailer for a wide range of items, including guitar leads and other equipment needed for writing and playing music at home. He also has a history of buying unusual instruments, such as a semi-computerised accordion that was too heavy to use on stage. It gathered dust in a cupboard until he replaced it with a lighter model.
Survival Gear and Daily Rituals
Living in west London, Bailey has access to a variety of local shops, including a greengrocer, butcher, fishmonger, a Korean store, and a Thai shop called Sriracha supermarket for spices. However, his shopping extends beyond local groceries to include outdoor and survival equipment. He purchases boots and camping gear from Cotswold Outdoor in Kensington. Recently, he bought a LifeStraw, a device that filters water from almost any source into drinking water. Bailey admitted he has not tested it in rivers, but he believes it could be a life-saver in an apocalypse.
His daily routine is anchored by coffee. He uses a Chemex coffee system, which consists of a simple glass flask and filters, and a small Krups coffee grinder. He describes his coffee habit as a ritual that has become increasingly important to him. For tea, he opts for practicality over pretension. He buys large multipacks of teabags from the Co-op or cash-and-carry stores to accommodate the many people who visit his home.
Bailey also invests in practical items for his active lifestyle. He buys big hiking socks because he does a lot of walking and goes through them quickly. For his father, who paints frequently, Bailey spends around £200 on art materials such as brushes, oils, acrylics, and paper from Chiswick Arts & Crafts. For himself, a £20 budget would likely go toward a multipack of socks.
Bailey’s Vaudevillean tour continues at the Theatre Royal Haymarket from 16 December 2026 to 6 February 2027. Tickets for the performances are currently on sale.
Source: The Guardian
