Listen free for 30 days
-
How Did All This Happen?
- Narrated by: John Bishop
- Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: Arts & Entertainment, Entertainment & Performing Arts
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
Listen with a free trial
Buy Now for £12.99
No valid payment method on file.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
Listeners also enjoyed...
-
How to Grow Old
- By: John Bishop
- Narrated by: John Bishop
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How to Grow Old is John’s offering to the world. With sage advice on how to avoid the common pitfalls of age, intimate confessions and spit-your-dentures-out hilarious commentary on his own advancing years, this is his observational comic writing at its very best. If you were concerned about how not to be boring or how to get rid of your should-be-old-enough-to-manage kids, this audiobook has the answers.
-
-
Truly hated this book
- By GENTILE on 31-01-20
-
The Life of Lee
- By: Lee Evans
- Narrated by: Lee Evans
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lee Evans is one of the best-loved comedians in the country; a Hollywood star able to sell out arenas in the blink of eye. But he was not always such a roaring success. Read unabridged by the man himself, the audiobook edition of The Life of Lee is an utterly hilarious and very moving autobiography, charting his ups and downs on the way to the top.
-
-
Excellent
- By AandL272 on 05-06-13
-
Becoming Johnny Vegas
- By: Johnny Vegas
- Narrated by: Johnny Vegas
- Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
‘My name is Michael Pennington, and I am not a comic character. I'm often mistaken for one though. You might know him by another name. Johnny Vegas.’ From BBC Dickens adaptations to Benidorm and Ideal to the PG Tips ads, Johnny Vegas has become one of Britain's best-loved comic actors.
-
-
Loved this book touching, honest and funny
- By K. Bailey on 01-11-13
-
We Need to Talk About Kevin Bridges
- By: Kevin Bridges
- Narrated by: Kevin Bridges
- Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of We Need to Talk About... Kevin Bridges.Aged 17, Kevin Bridges walked on stage for the first time and brought the house down. He only had a five-minute set but he discovered he really could earn a living from making people laugh.Kevin began life as a shy, nerve-ridden school-boy. Reaching his teens, he followed his true calling as the class clown.
-
-
New standard for comedians biography.
- By alexander on 11-10-14
-
The Book of Fred
- By: Andrew Flintoff
- Narrated by: Andrew Flintoff
- Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This isn't a book of life lessons. It's not going to tell you make your bed, or stand-up straight or any of that. There's no blueprint to follow here. But, at 43 years of age, and with a bit more time on his hands than usual, Freddie Flintoff has had a moment to reflect, and he's noticed that although there's been little method in the madness, there has been the occasional common thread.
-
-
Great listen
- By Richard B. on 16-01-22
-
My Lifey
- By: Paddy McGuinness
- Narrated by: Paddy McGuinness
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Paddy McGuinness is a much-loved presence on British TV. His stand-up tours sell out across the country. His acting roles are legendary, from Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy to The Keith and Paddy Picture Show. How did all start? Let Paddy take you back to a two-up, two-down terrace in 1970's Bolton, where his lifey began. He grew up alone with his beloved mum, neighbourhood matriarch Pat, who worked two jobs, as a barmaid and a cleaner, always keeping food on the table at home and almost always keeping her tearaway teen out of trouble.
-
-
Amazing book, made me think about my life too
- By Beth on 22-11-21
-
How to Grow Old
- By: John Bishop
- Narrated by: John Bishop
- Length: 7 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
How to Grow Old is John’s offering to the world. With sage advice on how to avoid the common pitfalls of age, intimate confessions and spit-your-dentures-out hilarious commentary on his own advancing years, this is his observational comic writing at its very best. If you were concerned about how not to be boring or how to get rid of your should-be-old-enough-to-manage kids, this audiobook has the answers.
-
-
Truly hated this book
- By GENTILE on 31-01-20
-
The Life of Lee
- By: Lee Evans
- Narrated by: Lee Evans
- Length: 10 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lee Evans is one of the best-loved comedians in the country; a Hollywood star able to sell out arenas in the blink of eye. But he was not always such a roaring success. Read unabridged by the man himself, the audiobook edition of The Life of Lee is an utterly hilarious and very moving autobiography, charting his ups and downs on the way to the top.
-
-
Excellent
- By AandL272 on 05-06-13
-
Becoming Johnny Vegas
- By: Johnny Vegas
- Narrated by: Johnny Vegas
- Length: 11 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
‘My name is Michael Pennington, and I am not a comic character. I'm often mistaken for one though. You might know him by another name. Johnny Vegas.’ From BBC Dickens adaptations to Benidorm and Ideal to the PG Tips ads, Johnny Vegas has become one of Britain's best-loved comic actors.
-
-
Loved this book touching, honest and funny
- By K. Bailey on 01-11-13
-
We Need to Talk About Kevin Bridges
- By: Kevin Bridges
- Narrated by: Kevin Bridges
- Length: 11 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of We Need to Talk About... Kevin Bridges.Aged 17, Kevin Bridges walked on stage for the first time and brought the house down. He only had a five-minute set but he discovered he really could earn a living from making people laugh.Kevin began life as a shy, nerve-ridden school-boy. Reaching his teens, he followed his true calling as the class clown.
-
-
New standard for comedians biography.
- By alexander on 11-10-14
-
The Book of Fred
- By: Andrew Flintoff
- Narrated by: Andrew Flintoff
- Length: 5 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This isn't a book of life lessons. It's not going to tell you make your bed, or stand-up straight or any of that. There's no blueprint to follow here. But, at 43 years of age, and with a bit more time on his hands than usual, Freddie Flintoff has had a moment to reflect, and he's noticed that although there's been little method in the madness, there has been the occasional common thread.
-
-
Great listen
- By Richard B. on 16-01-22
-
My Lifey
- By: Paddy McGuinness
- Narrated by: Paddy McGuinness
- Length: 8 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Paddy McGuinness is a much-loved presence on British TV. His stand-up tours sell out across the country. His acting roles are legendary, from Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy to The Keith and Paddy Picture Show. How did all start? Let Paddy take you back to a two-up, two-down terrace in 1970's Bolton, where his lifey began. He grew up alone with his beloved mum, neighbourhood matriarch Pat, who worked two jobs, as a barmaid and a cleaner, always keeping food on the table at home and almost always keeping her tearaway teen out of trouble.
-
-
Amazing book, made me think about my life too
- By Beth on 22-11-21
-
Brung Up Proper
- My Autobiography
- By: Jason Manford
- Narrated by: Jason Manford
- Length: 8 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jason Manford is firmly established as one of the country's favourite stand-ups and is up there with the best northern comedy legends. His career began one night in a pub in Chorlton when a comedian didn't arrive for his set and Jason, the 17-year-old glass collector stepped in to fill the gap. From that point on he's never looked back, until now that is.... This is the story in his own words of everything that lead up to that fateful moment – a colourful tale of growing up with lots of family and not enough money, of getting by and sticking together.
-
-
Interesting but now outdated
- By MR J. on 20-09-18
-
May I Have Your Attention Please?
- By: James Corden
- Narrated by: James Corden
- Length: 10 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As far back as he can remember James Corden has only ever wanted to be in one place: in front of you, doing something to make you laugh, cry, shout, or giggle uncontrollably. At the age of 4, he grandstanded throughout his baby sister’s christening, standing on a chair in front of the whole congregation, pulling faces and cracking everyone up. Despite himself, the vicar was impressed. And from then on he couldn’t get enough of the spotlight, even when it always seemed to avoid him. Throughout his teens, he and his Dad trudged up and down towards London....
-
-
Narration declination
- By Jason on 23-05-13
-
The Sound of Laughter
- By: Peter Kay
- Narrated by: Peter Kay
- Length: 8 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The long-awaited audio edition of Peter Kay’s best-selling autobiography, The Sound of Laughter, including two completely new and exclusive bonus chapters. Grab a brew and some good-for-dipping biscuits and listen to Peter take a trip down memory lane, including his first-ever driving lesson, his Bolton childhood, the numerous jobs he held, right up until he found fame in the world of comedy.
-
-
Genius….. simple as that
- By Susan. on 17-09-21
-
Before & Laughter
- By: Jimmy Carr
- Narrated by: Jimmy Carr
- Length: 6 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Written to take advantage of the brief window between the end of lockdown and Jimmy getting cancelled for saying something unforgivable to Lorraine Kelly, this book is as timely as it is unnecessary. Because you might be interested in Jimmy's life but he's damn sure you're a lot more interested in your own, Before & Laughter is about both of you. But mainly him.
-
-
borrows quotes, No original ideas of his own
- By mr c j skirving on 05-10-21
-
John Bishop Live: The Sunshine Tour
- By: John Bishop
- Length: 1 hr and 7 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Seen by over 400,000 people across the UK, Sunshine was recorded live at Liverpool’s Echo Arena on the last night of John Bishop's sell-out tour of the same name....
-
-
Love john!
- By Karen O on 01-04-15
-
Life and Laughing
- My Story
- By: Michael McIntyre
- Narrated by: Michael McIntyre
- Length: 7 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his compelling autobiography, Michael McIntyre reveals all. With deeply personal and captivating narration, Michael unveils his incredible journey: from his showbiz roots, to his appalling attempts to attract the opposite sex, to going from selling just one ticket at the Edinburgh Festival to half a million at his last tour. Written and narrated by Michael himself, Life and Laughing is the hilarious performance and life story from one of the country's most loved comics.
-
-
An absolute pleasure from start to finish
- By Mr. John Richards on 28-04-11
-
A Funny Life
- By: Michael McIntyre
- Narrated by: Michael McIntyre
- Length: 8 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michael’s first book ended with his big break at the 2006 Royal Variety Performance. Waking up the next morning in the tiny rented flat he shared with his wife, Kitty, and their one-year-old son, he was beyond excited about the new glamorous world of show business. Unfortunately, he was also clueless. In A Funny Life, Michael honestly and hilariously shares the highs and the lows of his rise to the top and desperate attempts to stay there.
-
-
Fantastic!!
- By James Deans on 14-10-21
-
John Bishop Live: Elvis Has Left the Building
- By: John Bishop
- Narrated by: John Bishop
- Length: 1 hr and 10 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Performing in front of his home crowd, Liverpudlian John Bishop has become one of our top comedians in just a few years. His humour, charm and take on life's trials and tribulations is hysterical.
-
-
Feeling a little cheated
- By Gary on 29-12-11
-
How to be Champion
- An Autobiography
- By: Sarah Millican
- Narrated by: Sarah Millican
- Length: 6 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Part autobiography, part self-help, part confession, part celebration of being a common-or-garden woman, part collection of synonyms for nunny, Sarah Millican's debut audiobook delves into her super normal life with daft stories, funny tales and proper advice on how to get past life's blips - like being good at school but not good at friends, the excitement of IBS and how to blossom postdivorce.
-
-
Was never going to disappoint!!!
- By MR M P GOULDER on 06-10-17
-
Small Man in a Book
- By: Rob Brydon
- Narrated by: Rob Brydon
- Length: 8 hrs and 45 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Who is the man behind the many voices of Rob Brydon? Read by the man himself, this audiobook memoir will reveal the warm heart behind one of Britain's favourite impressionists. A multi-award-winning actor, writer, comedian and presenter known for his warmth, humour and inspired impressions, Rob Brydon has quickly become one of our very favourite entertainers.
-
-
Mind Numbing
- By Chris on 18-10-12
-
Windswept & Interesting
- My Autobiography
- By: Billy Connolly
- Narrated by: Billy Connolly
- Length: 8 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In his first full-length autobiography, comedy legend and national treasure Billy Connolly reveals the truth behind his windswept and interesting life. Born in a tenement flat in Glasgow in 1942, orphaned by the age of fourth and a survivor of appalling abuse at the hands of his own family, Billy's life is a remarkable story of success against all the odds.
-
-
Marvellous
- By john donoghue on 14-10-21
-
David Mitchell: Back Story
- By: David Mitchell
- Narrated by: David Mitchell
- Length: 9 hrs and 25 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
David Mitchell, who you may know for his inappropriate anger on every TV panel show except Never Mind the Buzzcocks, his look of permanent discomfort on C4 sex comedy Peep Show, his online commenter-baiting in The Observer or just for wearing a stick-on moustache in That Mitchell and Webb Look, has written a book about his life.
-
-
Really enjoyable
- By Amazon Customer on 14-11-12
Summary
If you're a man of a certain age you'll know there comes a point in life when getting a sports car and over-analysing your contribution to society sounds like a really good idea. With a good job in sales and marketing and a nice house in Manchester that he shared with his wife and kids, John Bishop was no different when he turned the dreaded 4-0. But instead of spanking a load of cash on a car that would have made him look like a senior stylist at Vidal Sassoon, he stumbled onto a pathway that ultimately lead him to become one of the nation's best loved comedians.
It was a gamble, but boy, did it pay off. How Did All This Happen? is the story of how a boy who, growing up on a council estate dreaming of ousting Kenny Dalglish from Liverpool FC's starting line-up, suddenly found himself on stage in front of thousands of people nationwide, at an age when he should have known better. In his own inimitable style, John guides us through his life from leaving the estate and travelling the globe on a shoe string, to marriage, kids and the split that led him to being on a stage complaining to strangers one night - the night that changed his life and started his journey to stardom.
Wonderfully entertaining and packed with colourful reminiscences and comical anecdotes, this is a heart-warming, life-affirming and ultimately very, very funny memoir from one of the nation's greatest comedians.
More from the same
What listeners say about How Did All This Happen?
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Laura
- 12-10-13
You really need to know what happened
What did you like most about How Did All This Happen??
Rarely does a book move me to tears and laughter so easily. This is one of the very few. Quite simply, because I don't want to be responsible for spoilers, if you've watched JB live, on TV or wherever and he's struck a chord, you literally need to read or listen to this book. It's beautifully written, emotionally narrated - entertaining, moving and inspirational all at once. It's one of the best autobios I've read/heard for a long time. I'm 10+ years younger than JB but a lot of his memories and desciptions of his earlie life wrought memories long buried. Enjoy.
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sue McW
- 02-11-13
A very unique and interesting life-story
I didn't know much about John Bishop before reading this book - but was keen to read it after watching the TV programme about his Sport Relief challenge (which is covered in the final chapter).
This book is very well written, and keeps you enthralled throughout - what an interesting and unusual life he has had.
His reading style is, in places, a little 'flat' when compared to his live stand-up delivery but that is just a very minor thing - once you have tuned in to his Liverpool accent then this biography will have you gripped right to the end.
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Grantojosh
- 05-03-15
Really natural performance
I've like John Bishop as a performer since the very beginning of his TV career. Fascinating to listen to the man talking about himself in such an open, affable way.
Highly recommended!
5 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- james
- 15-12-16
brilliant
absolutely loved it. well worth a listen if you want to laugh out loud and be amazed on how indeed he got to where he is today. Highly recommended!!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Chantal
- 17-10-13
Fabulous
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
Full of surprises, trials and tribulations and a frankness that will make you laugh and cry.
What other book might you compare How Did All This Happen? to, and why?
None
Which scene did you most enjoy?
All of them
Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?
Yes definitely. Had no idea that the Bish had done so much!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Alex
- 10-10-13
One of the better comedian biographies.
Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?
If they were interested in stand up or John Bishop, Its emotive and portrays the route to stand up in a detailed fashion.
What did you like best about this story?
When i read a stand ups biography i want to here about there hankering for there craft, first steps to stand up and details of the journey to becoming recognised. This book does that better than most i have read.
Have you listened to any of John Bishop’s other performances? How does this one compare?
no
Any additional comments?
There was a lovely segment at the start where the author and narrator introduces himself and current surroundings, this feels like a cheeky little bonus. It also does as intended and breaks the ice before the book begins.
The book does not fall into the trap of glossing over the route to stand up, instead the second half details this interspersed with how it affected home and work life. Bizzarely this was a bit emotional at times due to the open nature of the writing.
i didnt feel things were being held back and for once i felt i was reading about a standup who truly loved his job and wasnt using it as a stepping stone to tv.
There was the usual born, school, work story which unless your a John Bishop fan may not particularly interest you. This may just be me but im a touch bored with all the samey back stories.
Overall This is a very good biography of a stand up comedian, if you have read and enjoyed the other ones then this will easily fit in to your top five.
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mr R MacNab
- 03-06-17
very funny
just as good as his stand up shows. a very good listen to such an interesting story
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kev d
- 15-02-17
brilliant
what a fantastic book John Bishop is an awesome gut and this book tells all no punches pulled
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- cs07
- 29-01-16
boring
Enjoy johns autobiography however he should never have read it. It became painful to listen to and a chore
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jodie Stevens
- 23-01-17
Superb
Thoroughly enjoyed this story. A genuinely nice bloke and a very interesting story, read really well.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Adrienne Warg
- 05-02-22
Loved it!
What a lovely book. It had everything you want in a book. I laughed and was moved to tears. I’m so glad John Bishop read it himself. He’s got a great voice!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- lilr3dstar
- 01-12-14
I really didn't expect to cry.
If you could sum up How Did All This Happen? in three words, what would they be?
Prepare for tears.
Any additional comments?
I picked this after David Mitchell's Back Story which was equally entertaining. What surprised me, or maybe I just don't read that many autobiographies, was their views on the marriages and love - beats any wedding vows or romantic movie lines I have ever heard. Still a very good laugh and the pace was great and John's accent is wonderful.