UNTIL this year John Bishop worked in a lucrative marketing job during the day and spent his nights moonlighting in the world of comedy.

Now he has taken that long-awaited leap of faith, handed in his notice and become a full-time stand-up.

"Comedy is counselling," says the latest funnyman on the comedy circuit.

And his new show could hardly be more confessional if it took place on a therapist's couch.

It tells the tale of the father-of-three's journey from sales director of a pharmaceuticals company, via marital break-up, to a new career in stand-up comedy.

Aptly named "Stick Your Job". John's show tells his full life story, touching on how his personal life fell apart when he became a workaholic and how he got it back through comedy.

But this chosen career began completely by accident.

It all started one night in Manchester when, on a night out with mates at an open mic night, John was persuaded to go up for a bit of a joke.

To everyone's surprise, including his own, he went down a storm and was asked back the following week.

"I don't really get it," says John, rather modest of his talents, "I have friends who are miles funnier than me.

"It's just about being able to get up in front of loads of people and be funny.

"I often talk about observational things and my friends help me a lot with my material, whether they know it or not."

John performed stand-up comedy for the first time in October 2000 and the following year made it to the final of all the major new act competitions, including So You Think You're Funny, the Daily Telegraph Open Mic Awards, the BBC New Comedy Awards and the City Life North West Comedian of The Year Award, which he won.

In 2002, he was named best newcomer by BBC Radio Merseyside, and in 2004 he won the North West Comedy Award for best stand-up.

His material is drawn from his life's experiences, from fatherhood to cycling around the world, to playing semi-professional football, to working as a nightclub doorman.

And since becoming a full time stand up just over 12 months ago John has regularly performed at all the well-established and major comedy clubs throughout the UK, including The Comedy Stores in London and Manchester.

Coming to both Blackburn's King George's Hall and Burnley Mechanics, John's national tour has already taken London by storm.

He said: "I went to London to do one show and ended up having to stay for four nights, it went down so well.

"It sold out really quickly so they just kept asking me to do another night. I think it's word of mouth.

The Scouser added: "I did wonder if they'd be able to understand me but its fine because I had a little sign language figure at the bottom right of the stage to interpret my accent for them.

"I actually think my accent helps me. Somehow things said in a Scouse accent just sound funnier."

  • See John Bishop at King George's Hall, Blackburn, on Friday April 18, tickets from 0844 847 1664 and at Burnley Mechanics on Saturday May 17, tickets from 01282 664400.