Performing Leroy Anderson’s The Typewriter

Bill Bailey is making his debut at the BBC Proms – with a performance at tomorrow's flag-waving Last Night.

The comic will be performing Leroy Anderson’s The Typewriter, known to comedy fans as the theme to the Radio 4’s The News Quiz.

He will play the piece of office equipment while accompanied by the BBC Symphony Orchestra in the second half of the concert at the Royal Albert Hall, just before traditional songs such as Rule, Britannia! Pomp and Circumstance and Jerusalem .

Bailey told the PA news agency: "I just wish my mum was around for her to see it, I think that would be just a wonderful moment to see those early times when she inspired me to listen to music, and then there I am at the Proms.’

But he added that his dad – who’s 93 – will be coming to the show, 

The comic added: ‘I’ve been watching the Proms now for, wow, for many, many years. and I remember the last night is – was – always a bit of a Ritual in our house, we’d all watch it together, and I’ve been lucky enough to go to a few proms over the years.

‘And there’s a really quite a unique atmosphere, I think, unlike anything else I’ve ever been to, because it feels like this is more about what music should be.

‘I think it’s very inclusive, it’s got a feeling that it’s for everyone, people kind of make almost like a pilgrimage to it, you see people sitting outside wanting to get in.

‘There’s a sense of celebration, of fun, of like this is a sort of British institution really, and it feels like quite an honour to be part of it.

‘So, I’m a little bit nervous, but also very excited, and I had a fantastic rehearsal yesterday with the orchestra, so that’s given me a great deal of confidence.’

Tomorrow night’s concert will also feature Sir Brian May, Roger Taylor and rising West End star Sam Oladeinde performing Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody.

Live coverage of the Last Night Of The Proms will begin on Saturday at 7pm on BBC Radio 3, while the TV broadcast will be live on BBC iPlayer and  on BBC Two from 6.55pm, moving to BBC One at 9pm.

Published: 12 Sep 2025