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How Did All This Happen?

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About this listen

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.

Entertainment & Celebrities Performing Arts Comedy Funny Marriage Entertainment Heartfelt Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty Feel-Good Celebrity Sports

Critic reviews

‘Extremely funny … told with heart-warming honesty’ Mail on Sunday

‘Unlikely – and very moving – life story… Extraordinary.’ Red Magazine

‘Satisfying, enjoyable, funny in moments, sad in the others. The funniest and most moving book I’ve read this year and I plan to give it to everyone I know this Christmas’
James Mullinger, GQ

All stars
Most relevant
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!

Really natural performance

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just as good as his stand up shows. a very good listen to such an interesting story

very funny

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what a fantastic book John Bishop is an awesome gut and this book tells all no punches pulled

brilliant

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What made the experience of listening to How Did All This Happen? the most enjoyable?

I was able to have episodes in this book where i was either, Laughing, Feeling very Emotional or i was just simply nodding because i could associate in what John was referring too.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

I loved the new wardrobe, Very moving and very touching part of the book when John was referring to his marriage breaking up and it was lovely to hear about a father struggle in how they deal with that. Being a woman, A woman's sides of things are always talked about but it was lovely to hear how a man felt about this aspect of life.

Any additional comments?

Loved the book throughout, Took me a little while to be honest to get used to John and his accent but after a few chapters it was very easy and enjoyable listening, Loved the last chapter about his Sports Relief Challenge as he mentioned a lot about Faversham and i used to live there for many years so it was lovely that Faversham meant something to John and his Family.

Moving, Brilliant, Funny, and Faversham!!!!

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just brilliant loved it

enjoyed being apart of your life in a book x
hope Joe is getting better.

laughed cried laughed cried sat up all night brill

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