Review: John Bishop's Rollercoaster tour

By CATHERINE LAWLER

EVEN the pre-show announcement asking people not to take photos or use recording devices was funny at John Bishop’s Rollercoaster tour on Saturday evening.

I watched the gig on its final night in Liverpool, at the Echo Arena, where John was performing to thousands of people in a sold-out venue and it’s easy to see why.

He may be pretty mainstream but the Runcorn-born comedian is naturally hilarious – a real observational comedy genius, delivering lines with such ease, it’s as if he is relaying stories to his mates in the pub.

An all-round good egg too – having taken part in an incredibly tough challenge for Sport Relief earlier this year by completing a 290-mile triathlon.

Needless to say, this provided much of the comedy material in his gig, with everything from his lame attempts at trying to get out of taking part, to some rather delicate waxing that needed doing before his cycle ride.

His working-class humour meant that he was also brutally honest about his somewhat reluctant visit to Downing Street to meet David Cameron – at which point the audience were in stitches.

His Olympics torch relay in Cheshire also featured, as did anecdotes about having kids, married life and his thoughts on the publishing sensation Fifty Shades of Grey, many of which aren’t suitable to print here.

The mix of ages in the audience shows John’s wide appeal and the gig was funny throughout – with even some surprises at the end, but playing to his home crowd was clearly a highlight for him too.

For details on the Rollercoaster Tour, see johnbishoponline.com.