Bill Bailey offers to enter Eurovision 2022 after UK's James Newman scores nil points

After his Strictly Come Dancing victory in December, comedy legend and all-round metal dude Bill Bailey seemingly fancies his chances at another big contest: Eurovision.

Following the UK's terrible result over the weekend at Eurovision 2021 (singer-songwriter James Newman came last with nil points), Bill has thrown his hat in the ring for next year.

"I’d be happy to throw my hat in the ring for #Eurovision 2022," he tweeted to an overwhelmingly positive response, including a petition even being launched to get it going. It reads: "After yet another humiliation for the UK at the Eurovision song contest, we call on the BBC to put Bill Bailey forward as our entry for the 2022 contest, in Italy.

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"The comedian has tweeted: 'I’d be happy to throw my hat in the ring' and given his popularity (proved by his victory on Strictly) and his long-term love of music, we think it's time he had this chance." It's hard to argue with that.

This year's Eurovision was won by Italy's rock offering Maneskin and their song Zitti E Buoni. The band's 524 point score means that Italy will host Eurovision 2022 – so we'll see you there, Bill?!

If you haven't seen it, watch Bill and his dance partner Oti Tango to Metallica's Enter Sandman during last year's Strictly semi-finals:

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