Mat definitely played Shakespeare differently between Horrible Histories and Bill, but I'd argue that Bill could easily turn into HH!Shakespeare after a few years of fame ;) This is how I think each of Shakespeare's appearances in HH could fit into my post-canon Bill storyline (i.e. the Never Did Run Smooth storyline). Also, by BBC Ghosts logic, Ian would be able to see ghosts

Fandom: Horrible Histories/Bill/Ghosts (a bit)

Day 30 prompt: Project Crossover

Series 1 Episode 13 – Richard III's ghost

"OK, it's the Battle of Bosworth Field where King Richard III is on the run from the gallant Henry Tudor."

The dress rehearsal for Bill's latest play was underway and as he was onstage directing, Gabriel watched from the wings with Ian, who was helping her get ready. Neither of them had been paying too much attention so far, just enough to follow along, until Bill stepped back to let the actor playing the king take centre stage.

"A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!"

There was a pause and Gabriel frowned and looked out to see Bill had returned to the stage and was staring at nothing.

"Who's that?" Ian whispered beside her, only confusing her further.

Bill was talking to the air now, "Who on earth are you?"

There was silence for a few seconds and Ian suddenly stiffened, his eyes growing wide, "A ghost?"

"Ghost?" Gabriel looked at him, "What do you mean a ghost? There is nothing there!"

He glanced down, lightly shushing her as Bill spoke again.

"It's symbolic! Show's you're an evil, murderous king."

The one-sided, as far as Gabriel was concerned, conversation continued and somehow, Ian seemed able to understand it. She wasn't sure if she should stay and try to figure this out, or just leave them to whatever this nonsense was and prepare for her scene alone.

"It's dramatic license!" Bill was whining.

"Well, now," Ian muttered to himself after another pause, "'Rubbish' is a bit strong..."

Bill glared down at the empty space in front of him, almost fuming, "I'm William Shakespeare. I write plays and I make stuff up. If I wrote it how it was in real life, it would be rubbish. And boring. Like school."

Gabriel looked around in exasperation, "Am I witnessing some sort of breakdown?"

It was the only explanation, especially considering what happened next. Bill suddenly threw up his arms, storming off the stage.

"Fine! I will just rewrite the entire play! And we'll have a dead man play the lead, shall we?"

Ian and Gabriel watched him go, both in disbelief, for very different reasons.

"It's hardly worth all the fuss," Ian shrugged, "Wouldn't have happened if he just wrote it accurately from the start."

Gabriel dropped her head into her hand, "Ambos están locos..." They are both insane...

When they returned after Bill was finished with the rewrites, Gabriel sat beside him, slightly worried, as he scowled up at the empty stage. The long silence was eventually broken when he heaved a sigh.

"I've got a hunch this play is gonna ruin me..."

She had to agree.

Series 2 Episode 1 – Historical Mastermind

As expected, Bill had no idea what was going on. Anne, Gabriel and Ian sat in the audience of the gameshow, commenting on his progress, and his usual oddness.

"Your name, please."

"William Shakespeare."

"And your occupation?"

"One that doth make words to dance upon the page and vence into the ear of the throng."

"... I'm sorry, I don't quite-"

"I write plays."

Gabriel stifled a laugh and Anne rolled her eyes. The questions began and they eagerly listened to hear his answers, but the second one earned an especially notable reaction from Gabriel.

"Good riddance."

She sat bolt upright.

"I've only just arrived...?" Bill frowned. Meanwhile, Gabriel was watching him like a hawk.

"No, did you invent the phrase 'good riddance'?"

She narrowed her eyes, noticing how Bill paused.

"... Yes, I did."

"Correct."

Gabriel gasped.

"You did not...!" she hissed under her breath, then felt a hand on hers.

"Hush, love," Ian whispered, leaning towards her, "It's nothing to get upset about."

But she had already decided to be angry. When Bill was done and he approached them waiting in the hallway for him, Gabriel's arms were crossed and she wore a sour expression. An image that could only be described as in a huff. Bill just looked at her.

"What's wrong with you?"

She raised her eyebrows, "Good riddance?"

He laughed, "Oh, so now you do want the credit? I thought you were embarrassed about all that!"

"Things have changed! It caught on."

"I told you it would."

"Oh, shut up."

Series 3 Episode 6 – The Truth About Richard III

Bill's jaw dropped in horror as the king snatched his play from his hands, smiling as he did so, and barely even so much as looking at him. And his words only made it worse.

"Did you hear what he called me?" he said as he was ranting to Anne afterwards, "A historical vandal!" he threw the torn up script down in front of her, "I mean, I made him more interesting! I made him memorable! No-one is going to forget King Richard III anytime soon thanks to me."

"... Well, I think that's the problem in itself, isn't it?"

Horrible Histories Prom

"He's here! Of everyone they could possibly book for this, they got him?"

Anne furrowed her brow, "Got who?"

"Richard III, Anne," Bill practically spat the name, "They asked Richard III to sing that song tonight. You know, the one where he calls me a historical vandal? Remember that?"

"Bill..."

"I swear, the second he appears, I'm out of here. I can't be in the same room as him. You lot feel free to stay for his song, but I will be taking that as my loo break."

Gabriel just scoffed, albeit affectionately, and shook her head, "You are ridiculous."

"And what's more, they didn't even ask me to sing!"

Anne patted his shoulder, "I'm quite sure this concert is for royals. For the most part, anyway."

"They're performing music from my plays! I should be up there, too!"

Ian glanced at him nervously, "... Don't start fighting over this," he quietly begged, "... Please..."

Bill sighed, "... I'm still leaving when he comes on."

Series 4 Episode 5 – Insult Battle

They were supposed to just be having a nice night out at the local tavern after rehearsals had ended, but it looked like Bill had gotten just a little bit too drunk, and he was also feeling just a little bit too full of himself when some poor man accidently bumped into him.

"Whoa...!" he turned to the man, "Sir. Thou did spill my ale."

Gabriel scoffed and looked at Ian with a roll of her eyes, "Ah, it seems we are doing this again."

"Aye, sir, what of that?"

She saw the spark in Bill's eye and just took another sip of her drink.

"You challenge me?"

"What of it?"

A woman Gabriel could only assume was the man's wife tried to pull him away, but he resisted.

"This man has insulted me!"

"Aye, sir," Bill stood, "And will again."

"In that case, I challenge you to a duel!" the man said, getting the attention of the whole tavern. Though Ian, sitting beside her, looked wary, Gabriel leaned forward eagerly as the man narrowed his eyes, "Name your weapon."

Bill turned back to their table and locked eyes with Gabriel. She smirked back at him and nodded.

"I choose words."

"Words? That's unusual. But I accept!"

Again, the man's wife stepped in, whispering to him. Gabriel, a skilled spy, heard every word.

"Don't you know who that is?"

"No, and neither do I care."

"That's Bill Shakespeare! Haven't you seen his plays? You can't fight him with words, no-one can beat him!"

But he wouldn't listen and soon got the entire room chanting.

"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Ian sighed, and put his head down on the table. He'd only wanted to enjoy his night out. Meanwhile, Gabriel was practically bouncing in her seat and joined the chant. Bill briefly shot her another sly look.

"Come now, sir, blast me with your tongue."

"Vassal!" the man laughed, far too enthusiastically for such a weak attempt, "Villainous... villain."

"Finished?"

"No, hang on!" he cleared his throat, "Thou art... a saucy rogue."

The crowd murmured and laughed.

"A saucy rogue?" Bill repeated, "How can I respond... to a beslubbered, pebbling, churlish clotpole?"

The man's face fell, the crowd grew louder and from there, Bill's whole artillery was released. Insult after insult, leaving the man lost and confused. Gabriel heard one of her castmates beside her.

"Go on, Bill, finish him off!"

"Yeasty, tickle-brained, whey-faced, nut-hook skainsmate!"

The crowd cheered, none louder than Gabriel, who was getting more into it than anyone else. Bill was pronounced the champion and the man slunk away, dejected.

"Any of you clay-brained fools want a piece of me?"

Ian had lifted his head again as the duel came to an end, and suddenly sat up, pointing behind Bill as the man's wife stormed over to him. He was about to warn him, but Gabriel forced his hand down and held a finger to her lips, struggling to keep herself from laughing, and Bill turned around just in time for the woman to punch him. He dropped to the floor instantly and Gabriel led the applause that followed.

"I'm alright! I'm alright..."

She made her way over to help him up, still laughing. As she guided Bill back to the table, Ian stared at her.

"... I think you might have had one too many, love."

Series 4 Episode 11 – William Shakespeare and the Quill

"Ladies and gentlemen, for one night only, would you please welcome to the stage, Mr William Shakespeare!"

Finally, Bill was getting to sing to an audience.

By now, Gabriel had gotten used to him writing things she said into his work, so as he listed off phrase after phrase, she simply sat and listened, a genuine smile on her face as she clapped and swayed along. She couldn't help but feel proud of him.

Anne, too, was proud of him. She gazed up at her husband on the stage with a look of pure adoration.

"He is actually a fantastic singer, isn't he?" she said and Gabriel nodded, "... Makes me think, he might have done better if he had been a singer for Mortal Coil instead. I mean, they already had three lute players..."

Ian's thoughts were elsewhere, however. He was looking right past Bill, at the people behind him.

"Um, not to pull the attention from Bill or anything," he began, "But..." he pointed at the stage, "There's something awfully familiar about those backup singers, don't you think?"