Billy Bailey has said he needs to win this year’s Strictly Come Dancing as the bets his friends have put on him will be paying for their Christmases. 

The comedian is one of six celebrities left in this year’s series of the BBC ballroom competition, and is currently the bookies’ favourite to win. 

While he is yet to top the leaderboard, Bill has impressed the judges with his improvement since the series started, and was even awarded his first 10 last month. 

Bill, who is partnered with professional dancer Oti Mabuse, has said he now has “a lot of pressure on his shoulders” thanks to his friends placing money on him to win. 

Speaking to The Sun, he said: “It is pressure. We’re getting to the sharp-end now so everyone’s putting in great dances. The competition is really hotting up.

“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.”

Last month, Bill admitted he had even surprised himself with his performances on Strictly.

He told The Guardian: “It’s extraordinary. People would assume I wouldn’t be able to even keep up with the training, but I’ve surprised myself.

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

This week, Bill and Oti will be hoping to win the judges over with an Argentine Tango to the theme from Phantom Of The Opera, as part of Saturday’s Musicals Week special. 

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 7.25pm on BBC One.