John Bishop

  • John Bishop at his Roscoe Lecture in 2018
  • John Bishop with staff and students during a visit to LJMU campus to deliver a talk in 2015
  • John Bishop taking a selfie at a graduation ceremony in July 2014

John is a Liverpool-born comedian and actor, known for his charity work. He was working as a sales rep until 2006 when he left his job to become a full-time comedian. Within three years he was playing to sold-out arenas. As part of his charity work, John raised £4.2m for Sport Relief 2012 when he cycled, rowed and ran from Paris to London, with training support from LJMU’s Professor of Applied Sport and Exercise Science, Greg Whyte.

John has also competed in numerous charity football matches including Soccer Aid and in 2014, he once again took part in Sport Relief as a team captain for the Clash of the Titans event where he competed against Sebastian Coe and his team. In 2014 he also donated £96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group after being moved by personal statements delivered by the victims’ families at their inquests. 

“Liverpool is known worldwide for its collective sense of humour and its giving and generous nature. In this sense John Bishop is a true son of the city.”

– Professor Greg Whyte

In 2014 John was recognised with an Honorary Fellowship for his outstanding contribution to the arts and the promotion of social causes. Professor Greg Whyte delivered the oration.

Since then, his bond with LJMU has strengthened as he has shared advice with Screen School students about succeeding in the media industry and delivered a Roscoe lecture in 2018 exploring the idea that laughter is good for us.