John Joseph Bishop (born 30 November 1966) is an English comedian and actor, who is also known for his charity work, having raised £4.2m for Sport Relief 2012.

A keen footballer, Bishop played for non-league teams Hyde and Southport and worked as a pharmaceutical Rep prior to becoming a stand-up comedian. His television debut came on The Panel. He has subsequently appeared in the E4 teen drama Skins (seasons 3-4) and in the Ken Loach film Route Irish in addition to his own shows including John Bishop's Britain (2010–2011), John Bishop's Only Joking (2013) and The John Bishop Show (2015–present).

Bishop also had a regular Sunday slot on Liverpool radio station Radio City 96.7 called Bishop's Sunday Service.

Early life

Bishop was born at Mill Road Maternity Hospital in Liverpool, Merseyside, the son of Kathleen "Kathy" (née Hackett) and Edward E. Bishop. He grew up mostly in Winsford, Cheshire and Runcorn, Cheshire, and attended Murdishaw West Primary School and Brookvale High School after he and his family moved from Huyton, Merseyside. He briefly studied English at Newcastle Polytechnic and gained a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Manchester Polytechnic.