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 ‘Those four letters - love - are loaded with so much’ - Elizabeth and John answer YOUR questions in our subscriber series, Failing with Friends. Join our community of subscribers here: https://howtofail.supportingcast.fm/#content Have something to share of your own? I'd love to hear from you! Click here to get in touch: howtofailpod.com 🌎 Get an exclusive 15% discount on your first Saily data plans! Use code [howtofail] at checkout. Download Saily app or go to to https://saily.com/howtofail ⛵ 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. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts To bring your brand to life in this podcast, email [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices