We’re used to John Bishop making us laugh, but the comedian’s latest ITV documentary, John and Joe Bishop: Life After Deaf, provoked a different kind of reaction from his viewers.
The hour-long documentary follows John’s journey to learn more about the deaf community after his 27-year-old son, Joe, caught a virus when he was 15, which caused him to lose a substantial part of his hearing overnight. The virus caused Joe to develop Cogan’s syndrome – a rare autoimmune disease – that can attack the eye and ear tissue. It’s a progressive disease and one which will likely leave Joe completely deaf soon.
The comedian and son also embark on a journey to learn British Sign Language (BSL) together and later in the documentary John performs in a stand-up show entirely in BSL.
Viewers have praised John and Joe for their deeply personal and honest documentary, with some viewers expressing that BSL should be taught in schools.
If you didn’t get to see it, then you can rewatch the documentary via the ITV hub.
How old is John Bishop?
John was born 30 November in 1966, currently making him 55 years old.
Who is John Bishop’s wife?
The comedian is married to Melanie Bishop, and has been for nearly 30 years! The couple married in 1993, before giving birth to their eldest son, Joe, the following year. They also have two younger sons, Luke and Daniel. But it wasn’t all happy families, as in 2000 the couple separated for a year and a half.
However, it was actually comedy that brought the pair back together. During their time apart John decided to try his hand at stand up and Melanie happened to turn up to his first gig in Manchester. Although John spent most of the night cracking jokes about their marriage, luckily, Melanie saw the funny side to it. Recalling the memory in an interview, the comedian said: "We met up after the show and she said seeing me up there reminded her of me as I used to be. When I was a good laugh."
The couple reconciled soon after and live happily together on their farm in Northwich with their animals, that he regularly posts pictures of via his Instagram.
John Bishop’s car accident
Last year John was involved in a car accident after trying to swerve “a big chicken” in the road. The comedian was driving to Wales to catch a ferry to Ireland, when the accident occured, which resulted in him smashing into a lamppost at the side of the road and smashing hsi windscreen.
Sharing the photos of his car on Instagram John wrote: I was driving to catch a ferry to Ireland when something happened.
"To avoid a car that was swerving to avoid a 'big chicken' as I overtook I ended up like this.
"Nobody was hurt thanks to Land Rover being brilliant and no oncoming traffic.
"I missed my ferry but went on as a foot passenger on a later one thanks to James and Tony from Dyfed Powys Police.
"Amazing how helpful people can be when you need them and thanks to the other drivers for staying, including Andrew who I think sadly hit the 'big chicken' anyway."
John Bishop in Dr Who
Providing us with plenty of on-screen entertainment, last year John boarded the Tardis for the 13th series of Dr Who. He plays the character Dan Lewis who travels alongside the Doctor and Yaz as they take on adventures through space and time.
The role was a “dream come true” for John, as when he spoke about joining the show he said: “If I could tell my younger self that one day I would be asked to step on board the TARDIS, I would never have believed it. It’s an absolute dream come true to be joining Doctor Who and I couldn’t wish for better company than Jodie and Mandip.”