John Bishop (II)

One of the biggest decisions an up-and-coming stand-up comedian can make is to give up the day job and concentrate on performing. It means farewell to the career as a teacher (Greg Davies), doctor (Harry Hill) or sales rep (John Bishop) and suggests a belief that a job telling jokes is going to pay the mortgage instead.

Alfie Moore spent 18 years on the Humberside police force before he turned to stand-up comedy, but if It's a Fair Cop - his first series for BBC Radio 4 - is anything to go by, it was definitely the right move.

The formula for the show is that Moore swears his audience in as police officers for one night, and takes them through a real-life scenario to see what kind of decisions they would make in the same circumstances. Theft was the theme of the first instalment, with the focus on 80-year-old Maureen and a stolen tin of salmon.

This approach was clever because the laughs, and there were plenty of them, came from two different directions. For a start, there was Moore's great patter, in which he managed to mock his previous profession at the same time as demonstrating a deep respect for it. Plus his rapport with the audience/temporary officers ("Don't do the crime if you can't do the time," said one less than sympathetic volunteer) was equally entertaining.

John Bishop's Australia: Not a thrilling ride

The first episode of Liverpudlian comedian's Australian road trip was quite possibly the limpest hour of television I have ever seen.

Review: John Bishop

A great coup for the Lowther Pavilion and Lytham as a whole, the end of set Q and A also allowed the audience to gain an insight into the man behind the laughter.

John Bishop attacks British snobbery

The Scouse comedian reveals his anguish at sending his son to a fee-paying school and how he couldn't go on Question Time because he'd 'punch someone'.

John Bishop: I went to see dad in jail when I was 6

John Bishop plays sell-out stand-up tours, sells huge quantities of DVDs and has raised millions on charity challenges. But the Liverpool-born star has faced more than his fair share of struggles to get the the top.

John Bishop buys whole audience a drink

Audience members in Northampton got a pleasant surprise when they went to see John Bishop's live show. The comedian turned up 45 minutes late to his gig after being caught in traffic. To apologise, he bought a drink for every audience and staff member in attendance.

John Bishop interview

On the eve of his UK tour, John Bishop talks about how depression triggered his career - and rescued his marriage.

Review: John Bishop hits Dubai's comedy spot

British comedian gets candid, bawdy and often near the knuckle on his UAE stop.

John Bishop sees funny side after crashing his bike

John Bishop goes down smiling as he tumbles off his bike during filming for his first ever one-man TV travel show in Australia.

John Bishop donates £96k to Hillsborough fund

John Bishop has donated £96,000 to the Hillsborough Family Support Group after being moved by personal statements delivered by the victims' families at their inquests.