John Bishop - ‘I’ve always wanted someone to say: you’re good enough’

John Bishop has been a hugely successful stand-up comedian for 25 years. Yet that wasn’t his first dream, which was to play football. We discuss his failure to do so professionally, his challenges at school, the working-class upbringing that shaped him and how comedy saved his marriage when he and his wife were at the ‘decree nisi stage’ of divorce. Plus: skincare tips and why making people laugh is like stripping. Yes, really.

✨ IN THIS EPISODE:

00:00 Intro

01:48 The Art of Standup Comedy

06:52 Reflecting on Past Failures

12:30 Class and Injustice

13:50 Family and Personal Struggles

16:47 Balancing Career and Family

26:11 School Days and O Levels

26:44 Sixth Form Struggles

27:49 Balancing Work and Education

31:15 Dyslexia and English A Levels

34:22 Comedy and Confidence

35:17 Parenting in a New World

38:24 The End of the TV Show

47:19 Skin Care Secrets and Final Thoughts

Tickets - priced at £25 - for ‘John Bishop: 25’ UK tour, 1 Oct - 8 Nov: johnbishoponline.com

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Production & Post Production Coordinator: Eric Ryan

Mix Engineer: Matias Torres Sole

Senior Producer: Selina Ream

Executive Producer: Carly Maile

How to Fail is an Elizabeth Day and Sony Music Entertainment Production.

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