John Bishop chooses his Tracks Of My Years

One of Britain's best-loved comedians, John Bishop chooses his Tracks Of My Years with Vernon all this week - ten songs that tell the story of his life and career to date. Plus two listeners take on the mid-morning quiz Ten To The Top and Vernon dives into the BBC Archives in Vernon's Vault.

Born in Liverpool in 1966, John Bishop grew up dreaming of playing football for Liverpool FC. Whilst he didn't make it to Anfield he did play semi-professionally into his 20s, then working in pharmaceutical sales. In his 30s he was in the middle of divorcing his wife when he started stand-up comedy by accident. He signed up to an open mic night at The Frog and Bucket in Manchester to avoid paying the £4 entrance fee, and loved it so much that he became a regular. His set included material about his separation and one night he didn't realise his wife was in the audience. A conversation after the show led to agreeing to get counselling and they got back together. After years working on his stand-up alongside a full-time job, he became a full-time comedian, later also branching out into presenting and acting, where his credits include playing companion Dan on Doctor Who and acting on-stage opposite Sir Ian McKellen. Last year he celebrated 25 years since he started stand-up with a huge live tour, as well as playing a show where it all started, at the Frog and Bucket.

The story of John's start in stand-up has inspired the new film, Is This Thing On? which comes to UK cinemas on 30th January. Directed and co-written by Bradley Cooper, the film sees Will Arnett play Alex Novak, who tries his hand at the New York comedy scene in the face of a failing marriage to Tess Novak, played by Laura Dern.

Produced by BBC Audio for BBC Radio 2.