John Bishop (II)

Seizing the "Beeb does variety shtick" baton from John Bishop, McIntyre launches his latest well-meaning if MOR venture, filmed at the Theatre Royal in London. This week Geri Horner (formerly Halliwell) falls victim to the Send To All treatment, with the host embarking on the brand of text-based trolling that will be familiar from his chat show. There's also acrobatics, a performance from Tinie Tempah and an unsuspecting civilian is given the chance to duet with Michael Ball.

Pics: James Corden and John Bishop watch football

West Ham United supporter James Corden gleefully gloats in front of pal John Bishop after watching his club defeat Scouse comedian's beloved Liverpool FC.

A nice-seeming sort of bloke, does work for charity - John Bishop epitomises the Live at the Apollo school of comedian and Christmas TV favourite. Yet, while his act - observational material about family life, male archetypes and so on - is pretty cosy stuff, there's a bite to his delivery that could cause a certain amount of discomfort on the sofa. This third variety/comedy festive show features comic support from Sarah Millican and Danny Bhoy, comic songs from Andy Askins - and a duet between Bishop and Kylie Minogue.

John Bishop appears in Highest-Paid Comedians 2015 list

John Bishop is the only UK comedian on the list, in ninth place with $8m.

Video: John Bishop talks pigs, flags and condoms

He's one of the biggest names in British comedy, and you probably know his face, but not his name. John Bishop is a charismatic Liverpudlian who went from pharmaceutical salesman to comic genius almost overnight.

John Bishop gives 4 neglected horses a new home

Four neglected horses have found a new home with comedian John Bishop. Bishop and his wife, Melanie, supported World Horse Welfare's Rehome a Horse Month by agreeing to take Dora, Amara, Indie and Mable.

John Bishop immortalised at Blackpool waxwork

John Bishop has come face to face with his own likeness today in Blackpool. The funny man from Merseyside is the latest to be immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds.

John Bishop waxwork to be unveiled at Madame Tussauds

Scouse comedian will be immortalised in wax at Madame Tussauds Blackpool.

Radio Times review

The audience gets strangely excited by the opening act, which John Bishop tells us has been booked to redress the balance. Instead of the usual scantily clad female dancers, it's a troupe of scantily clad male dancers. As the lights are turned out by the time they're down to their underpants, the whoops and shrieks seem a little excessive.

Also on the bill are comedian Andy "I have absolutely no charisma" Askins, who turns Dido's Thank You into a dark musing on a wretched marriage, and stand-up Jason Byrne. He picks two useless volunteers to help with his rubbish magic act and turns it into a manic piece of slapstick.