This fabulous QI outtake with Bill Bailey is the best thing that’s never been on our favourite BBC2 panel show

John Plunkett. Updated December 4th, 2025

We’ve been big fans of BBC2 panel show QI ever since it began with Stephen Fry in the presenter’s chair way back around the turn of the century (gasp!).

We mention it not just because of our love for Fry and his estimable successor, Sandi Toksvig, but because this rather fabulous outtake from back in the day which went viral on Reddit and just gets better and better.

Specifically, it’s a moment from a 2017 episode featuring Bill Bailey, Phill Jupitus, Claudia Winkelman (whatever happened to her?) and of course, regular panellist, Alan Davies.

And it’s a lovely 3 minute escape from everything else going on right now, shared by Hassaan18 in th corner of Reddit called ‘contagious laughter’ for reasons which will rapidly become obvious.

“In theory, how fast can this boat sail?”
byu/Hassaan18 inContagiousLaughter

Lovely stuff.

And here are our favourite things people said about it (including a little bit of enlightenment for people who might not be overly familiar with it).

‘This show is pure gold. I watch highlights all the time on youtube. Epic stuff. 8 out of 10 cats as well.’
freshtrax

‘For those that are unfamiliar; these are comedian/celebrities in the UK.

‘I had trouble wrapping my head around panel shows at first. These people are not trying to win. The points are given at random.
One of the panel shows gives away a tea kettle to the “winner.”

‘Bizarre stuff, but delightfully funny.’
ce_0k

‘I never thought Bill Bailey and Alan Davies would look like a legit double act but they both meshed so well together.’
Hazlet95

‘This video defines for me what “Boys will be boys,” actually means. Just goofing off, having no plan whatsoever, don’t care if you look silly or dumb, backing your boy’s bit up. Just joyful.’
TheLostPariah

‘And Sandi plays into that as well, it’s amazing!’
Adze95

‘I love how they just walk away after all of it ‘
emporaryIssue4260

‘Absolutely fantastic work from everyone involved.’
NotFredRhodes

And you can find lots more QI over at their official channel on YouTube over here.

Source Reddit u/Hassaan18