Bill Bailey

In Midsomer Murders

Darwin Chipping is an enthusiast within the comic-book and graphic-art world examined in Drawing Dead. Bailey's offbeat delivery is a natural fit for the episode's collision of fandom, commerce and village eccentricity.

Performer biography

Bill Bailey is a comedian, musician, actor and presenter whose live work combines stand-up with elaborate musical performance. On television he is particularly known for Black Books, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI.

Bailey's comedy makes unusually direct use of his musical ability, shifting between instruments, styles and stand-up observation. Black Books made his Manny a sitcom favourite, while panel shows and live tours broadened his audience. Drawing Dead draws on his affinity for eccentric subcultures in a story about comic-book fandom.