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It's Good News Wednesday!

Vernon hears your good news stories plus Vernon's Vault and Ten To The Top. And comedian John Bishop continues choosing his Tracks Of My Years.

Vernon hears your good news stories plus a dive into the BBC Archive for Vernon's Vault and two listeners take on the mid-morning music quiz Ten To The Top. Plus comedian John Bishop continues choosing his Tracks Of My Years - ten songs that tell the story of his life and career to date.

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.

4 days left to listen

2 hours, 30 minutes

Last on

Wed 28 Jan 202609:30

Music Played

  • The Original

    I Luv U Baby

    • (CD Single).
    • Ore Music.
  • Liberty X

    Just A Little

    • Now 52 (Various Artists).
    • Now.
  • Taylor Swift

    Opalite

    • Life Of A Showgirl.
    • Republic.
  • Diana Ross

    Chain Reaction

    • Now That's What I Call Music '86.
    • Now.
  • Stardust

    Music Sounds Better With You

    • Now 41 (Various Artists).
    • Now.
  • Simply Red

    Fairground

    • Simply Red Greatest Hits.
    • East West Records.
  • Mumford & Sons

    The Banjo Song

    • Prizefighter.
    • Island.
  • Spacedust

    Gym And Tonic

    • EastWest.
  • Harry Styles

    Aperture

    • Kiss All The Time. Disco, Occasionally.
    • Columbia.
  • Wham!

    Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

    • Fantastic 80's Disc 1 (Various Artis.
    • Columbia.
  • Sabrina Carpenter

    Such A Funny Way

    • (CD Single).
    • Island.
  • Embrace

    Road To Nowhere

    • Avalanche.
    • Cooking Vinyl.
  • Level 42

    Something About You

    • The Complete Polydor Years: Volume 2 (1985-1989).
    • Cherry Red Records.
  • Ella Langley

    Choosin' Texas

    • (CD Single).
    • Columbia.
  • Carol Decker

    Heart And Soul (Radio 2 Piano Room, 22 May 2025)

  • The Killers

    When You Were Young

    • (CD Single).
    • Mercury.
  • MIKA

    Dreams

  • All Saints

    Never Ever

    • Love (Various Artists).
    • Polygram Tv.
  • Arctic Monkeys

    Opening Night

    • HELP(2).
    • War Child Records.
  • Robbie Williams

    Let Me Entertain You

    • Now 39 (Various Artists).
    • Now.
  • David Gray

    Sail Away

    • (CD Single).
    • East West Records.
  • T. Rex

    I Love to Boogie

    • T. Rex - The Singles As & Bs.
    • Repertoire.

Broadcast

  • Wed 28 Jan 202609:30

Ten To The Top

Ten To The Top

Get all the details of how to enter and listen to Vernon's daily music quiz.