How Did All This Happen‪?‬

If you’re a man of a certain age you’ll know there comes a point in life when getting a sports car and over-analysing your contribution to society sounds like a really good idea.

With a good job in sales and marketing and a nice house in Manchester that he shared with his wife and kids, John Bishop was no different when he turned the dreaded 4-0. But instead of spanking a load of cash on a car that would have made him look like a senior stylist at Vidal Sassoon, he stumbled onto a pathway that ultimately lead him to become one of the nation’s best loved comedians. It was a gamble, but boy, did it pay off.

How Did All This Happen? is the story of how a boy who, growing up on a council estate dreaming of ousting Kenny Dalglish from Liverpool FC’s starting line-up, suddenly found himself on stage in front of thousands of people nationwide, at an age when he should have known better.

In his own inimitable style, John guides us through his life from leaving the estate and travelling the globe on a shoe string, to marriage, kids and the split that led him to being on a stage complaining to strangers one night – the night that changed his life and started his journey to stardom.

Wonderfully entertaining and packed with colourful reminiscences and comical anecdotes, this is a heart-warming, life-affirming and ultimately very, very funny memoir from one of the nation’s greatest comedians.

Reviews

‘Extremely funny … told with heart-warming honesty’ Mail on Sunday

‘Unlikely – and very moving – life story… Extraordinary.’ Red Magazine

‘Satisfying, enjoyable, funny in moments, sad in the others. The funniest and most moving book I’ve read this year and I plan to give it to everyone I know this Christmas’
James Mullinger, GQ

About the author

John Bishop was born in Liverpool and grew up in Winsford and Runcorn, Cheshire.

In 2006, approaching his 40th birthday, John left his job to pursue a career in comedy. Within three years he was playing to sell-out arenas and had released the fastest-selling debut DVD in history. Now a household name and one of the biggest stars in comedy, John has just completed his third nationwide arena tour.

John lives with his wife and three sons in Cheshire and his hobbies include his dog Bilko and supporting Liverpool, but not always in that order.