John Bishop has announced a massive UK tour to celebrate 25 years of his stand-up comedy career, and he’s coming to Manchester.
He’s not only coming to our city once either, but twice.
It’s been well over two decades since the popular Liverpudlian comedian stepped on stage to perform his first ever stand-up gig on 2 October 2000, and so, in a bid to properly celebrate this monumental milestone and the impressive comedy career that’s followed, Bishop will be touring the UK and Ireland in 2025, and will, once again, step foot on that very same stage he first performed on.
And that stage, just so happens, to be the legendary Frog & Bucket comedy club right here in Manchester city centre.
The Frog & Bucket is known for having launched the careers of some of the country’s most well-known and revered comedians over the years, with John Bishop being just one of those famous names, and he’ll certainly be one of the most famous names to perform there again in recent years.
As well as taking to the Frog & Bucket stage for a more intimate live comedy experience on 13 October 2025, Bishop will also be performing a much bigger Manchester venue that same month, the new Co-op Live arena, on 4 October.
Liverpool, Leeds, and Newcastle are some of the other northern locations he’ll be visiting, as well as other major cities like London, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, and more.
ADVERTISEMENT
What makes this tour even more special too is the fact that Bishop has vowed that tickets to every show he’ll be performing, wherever the audience member may be sat, will be priced at £25 each to honour his 25th comedy anniversary.
John Bishop: 25 – UK & Ireland Tour Dates 2025
Thursday 2 October – Plymouth Pavilions
Friday 3 October – The O2, London
Saturday 4 October – Co-op Live, Manchester
Wednesday 8 October – Utilita Arena, Newcastle
Thursday 9 October – Glasgow, OVO Hydro, Glasgow
Friday 10 October – P&J Live, Aberdeen
Saturday 11 October – First Direct Arena, Leeds
Monday 13 October – Frog & Bucket, Manchester
Thursday 16 October – Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
Friday 17 October – Utilita Arena, Birmingham
Saturday 18 October – Brighton Centre
Sunday 19 October – International Centre, Bournemouth
Thursday 23 October – Utilita Arena, Cardiff
Friday 24 October – M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
Friday 31 October – 3Arena, Dublin
Saturday 1 November – SSE Arena, Dublin
John Bishop is playing a massive UK & Ireland comedy tour in 2025 / Credit: Supplied
“I can’t believe that next year it will be 25 years since I first performed at the Frog and Bucket in Manchester,” John Bishop said as the UK and Ireland tour was announced.
“It’s been a rollercoaster, and I can’t thank the fans enough who have supported me all the way. 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.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I really hope you can come and celebrate with me.”
John Bishop: 25 kicks off on 2 October 2025 at the Plymouth Pavilion, and then travels to arenas across the UK and Ireland, before culminating in Belfast on 1 November 2025.
The £25 tickets go on sale this Friday (11 October) at 10am here.
Featured Image – Aemen Sukkar Jiksaw
Affiliate
The UK’s biggest LEGO convention is coming back to Manchester next month
Emily Sergeant
The biggest LEGO event in the UK is returning to Manchester next month.
After proving to be such a massive sell-out success last year, Bricktastic – the ‘ultimate’ LEGO convention – will be returning to Manchester next month, just in time for half term, with even more incredible LEGO models, activities, and fun for all the family.
Already shaping up to be one of the most exciting LEGO events in the UK, with tickets already on sale and selling fast, fans can expect to see more than 300 exhibitors from around the world showcasing original LEGO creations, also known as MOCs (Models of Own Creation), all under one roof at Manchester Central.
Whether you’re a fan of Star Wars, Friends, or Harry Potter, you’ll find your favourite LEGO themes and more at the event next month.
You’ll also be able to meet the talented model creators and uncover the stories behind their spectacular builds.
This LEGO convention isn’t just about admiring the models though, it’s about creating your own too, as at Bricktastic, you can build a section of our giant LEGO mosaic featuring more 100,000 bricks, dive into the brick pits filled with system or DUPLO® bricks for the little ones, and leave your own personal tag on the LEGO graffiti walls.
Basically, you can create anything you like and then leave your masterpiece on display for others to enjoy when they visit.
The UK’s biggest LEGO convention is coming back to Manchester next month / Credit: Shirlane Forrest
There’ll also be a wide variety of shopping opportunities at Bricktastic 2026, with something for every budget, no matter what you’re searching for.
And all proceeds from Bricktastic 2026 will help to fund LEGO deliveries to children in hospitals through the Fairy Bricks charity.
Bricktastic 2026 is taking place at Manchester Central on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February 2026, and tickets are on sale now.
Tickets will be required for all visitors. Your ticket will have a timed entry but not a timed exit, so you can stay as long as you like, and if you want to take a break for a coffee or lunch, then simply collect a wristband to return whenever you’re ready.
An interactive jury experience is happening in Manchester – and it’s selling out FAST
Danny Jones
Yes, you might have heard about different bits of ‘immersive theatre’ here in Manchester before, you may have even tried some of them before, but have you ever been part of an interactive jury experienceinspired by true events?
Didn’t think so.
We’ve come across some pretty unorthodox performance art in our time – the soon-to-arrive Star Wars burlesque show being just one recent example; having said that, this might be one of the coolest concepts around right now.
Calling the next case into court, we have ‘The Jury Experience: Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man’, which combines a live crime thriller with the classic jewel heist format, whodunnit tropes and more.
Organised by Fever Events and scripted and staged with help from award-winning creative directors, Les Enfants Terribles, this latest edition of The Jury Experience is one of just many in a long line of intriguing courtroom dramas that YOU get to take part in.
We don’t want to give too much away and spoil the magic, but let’s just say you get to play a key role in seeing who goes down for the theft or a multi-million dollar family treasure.
Using your phone and/or paddles to cast your votes and sway decisions, there aren’t just key moments – the audience themselves are the final verdict.
Think you handle the responsibility, or better still, will you relish the sense of power?
As for ‘Diamonds, Lies, and a Dead Man’, here’s your teaser: “You’ve been called for jury duty. Scandal brews as a disgraced ex-driver stands trial for stealing global superstar Lana Tonneti’s $20m necklace.
“But is Lana telling the truth? Throughout the show, analyse witness testimonies, examine the evidence, answer complex questions, and try to uncover what really happened.
“Every word matters. Every detail counts. And at the end, you must cast the vote that determines the fate of the accused.”
Taking place at the stunning Stoller Hall and lasting just over an hour, this strictly 12+ event (kids under 19 must be accompanied by an adult)
While tickets to the first two productions this month have already sold out, tickets for the March and April nights are still available. You can find out more about dates, timings, and other cases, as well as grab your tickets right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
8th October 2024 
