John Bishop announces big tour with £25 tickets - including special show at intimate Manchester venue

"I can’t thank the fans enough who have supported me all the way"

Adam Maidment What's On and LGBTQ+ Writer

10:58, 07 Oct 2024

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John Bishop will perform two big shows in Manchester next October - including one date at a special venue which helped start his comedy career(Image: PA)

Despite being attended by just a handful of people, one night in Manchester 24 years ago set the seeds for what has now become a thriving career in comedy and television for John Bishop.

Working in the pharmaceutical industry at the time, John took a whim on taking part in the comedy show for the very first time at Manchester’s Frog and Bucket on October 2, 2000 and has never looked back. He has cited the show as changing his life forever.

Now, the Liverpudlian is set to head back to where it all began for him as part of a very special tour to celebrate the big milestone as part of a new show celebrating 25 years of his comedy career, which will be touring the country next year.

Alongside big arena shows at venues including London's The O2, Birmingham's Utilita Arena and Dublin's 3Arena set for October 2025, John will be performing two gigs in Manchester - one at Co-op Live on October 4 and another where he will celebrate that very night in 2000.

John, who has appeared in shows like Doctor Who and A League of Their Own, will return to Frog and Bucket, in the Northern Quarter, on October 13, 2025 in what is set to be a very special show at the intimate venue. Tickets will go on sale this Friday on Ticketmaster.

John will perform at Co-op Live on October 4, 2025 and come back to Manchester a week later for a show at the Frog and Bucket on October 13(Image: neil reading pr)

Speaking about the plans, John said: “I can’t believe that next year it will be 25 years since I first performed at the Frog and Bucket in Manchester. It’s been a rollercoaster! And I can’t thank the fans enough who have supported me all the way.”

As part of the 25 tour, all UK dates will be priced at just £25, before fees - not only to coincide with the big celebration and to thank fans for their support, but also in the face of continually rising-costs for tickets to big shows.

John added: “I wanted to mark the anniversary with a brand-new tour and do something to say thank you – so every ticket throughout the tour will be £25. I really hope you can come and celebrate with me.”

Tickets for the 25 tour will go on sale this Friday (October 11) at 10am via Ticketmaster. Ireland dates will be priced at €25 plus fees. Pre-sale will begin on Wednesday (October 9) at 10am - you can sign up for a chance to access the pre-sale here.

The full UK and Ireland tour dates for John Bishop’s 25 Tour are:

Thursday 2 October 2025 - Plymouth Pavilions

Friday 3 October 2025 - London, The O2

Saturday 4 October 2025 - Manchester, Co-op Live

Wednesday 8 October 2025 - Newcastle, Utilita Arena

Thursday 9 October 2025 - Glasgow, OVO Hydro

Friday 10 October 2025 - Aberdeen, P&J Live

Saturday 11 October 2025 - Leeds, First Direct Arena

Monday 13 October 2025 - Manchester, Frog and Bucket

Thursday 16 October 2025 - Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena

Friday 17 October 2025 - Birmingham, Utilita Arena

Saturday 18 October 2025 - Brighton Centre

Sunday 19 October 2025 - Bournemouth, International Centre

Thursday 23 October 2025 - Cardiff, Utilita Arena

Friday 24 October 2025 - Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena

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Friday 31 October 2025 - Dublin, 3Arena

Saturday 1 November 2025 - Belfast, SSE Arena