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.
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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.
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“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
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Beloved play The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time set to return to the stage in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
One of the most beloved stage plays of the 21st Century is returning to Manchester.
Based on the celebrated 2003 novel of the same name that captivated readers worldwide, and inspired a groundbreaking National Theatre production, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is returning to one of Manchester‘s most iconic stages in early 2027 as part of a major UK tour.
The new play is adapted from Mark Haddon’s multi-million-selling novel by acclaimed Playwright Simon Stephens, and will be directed by Ned Bennett.
Taking over the Manchester Opera House stage in March 2027, critics have described the production as ‘inventive, gripping, and moving’.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time combines the intrigue of a whodunnit with a powerful coming-of-age story to create an ‘unforgettable’ theatrical event.
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If you’re not familiar with the plot, the play tells the story of Christopher Boone – a gifted child with a brilliant mind for numbers, but unsettled by the unpredictability of people and everyday life.
When a neighbour’s dog is killed, he finds himself under suspicion, but determined to prove his innocence, Christopher becomes both detective and suspect, drawn into a mystery that grows darker and more complex with every clue he uncovers.
What begins as the search for a culprit soon reveals secrets closer to home, ultimately forcing him to confront truths that will test his courage, his family, and his understanding of trust, independence, and the wider world.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is coming to Manchester / Credit: Supplied
“The journey of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time has been an extraordinary adventure,” commented Playwright Simon Stephens, as the new adaptation was announced this week.
“It has taken me all over the world. From church halls to enormous auditoria, and from school drama clubs to Wembley Way.
“I am thrilled that Christopher Boone is about to head out again through the United Kingdom. He is a boy defined by his determination and his bravery. This feels like a time when those characteristics are more urgently needed than ever.”
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is coming to Manchester Opera House as part of its UK tour from Tuesday 2 – Saturday 6 March 2027, and tickets go on general sale next Friday (21 November) at 10am.
Example announces new headline tour with just a handful of UK shows
Danny Jones
British rapper Example is back for another headline tour and just a handful of UK dates, including what is sure to be a bouncing gig right here in Manchester.
We’re going to say it: it’s the perfect venue for him, too.
The UK rap, dance and pop musician (real name Elliot John Gleave) was a regular chart-topper throughout the 2010s and has still been plenty busy in the time since then.
Although he has gradually pivoted more towards the production side of the music industry in recent years, he’s not lost any energy when it comes to performing – as seen by his most recent run of festival appearances. With that in mind, we can’t wait to see Example back playing live in Manchester.
The 43-year-old is known for his high-octane live shows, and has always had a particular flair for anything EDM-related, smashing sets at pretty much every major music event in Europe, from Glastonbury, Reading and Leeds, Creamfields, Bestival, Latitude, Benicassim, TRNSMT and many more.
Announcing his aptly-titled ‘Hits & Bits’ tour for 2026, Example wrote on Instagram: “If the last tour is anything to go by, these shows will sell out.
“I’m playing every single one of my songs that charted in the Top 20 (that’s 14 hits), plus some album favourites and a few new bits; plus huge unique visuals, laser and FX show, which will level up once again, as we always do. Things are about to get very ravey. Don’t sleep on this. El x”
In terms of the ‘bits’ side of things, we reckon he’ll include a little more of his newer material, the most recent of which is his collab with Local, having also worked with the likes of YouTube cult favourite Elro and fellow digital garage, grime, bassline artist, as well as TikTok personality, Window Kid, of late.
You can hear his newest crossover, ‘Head’s Gone’, in full down below.
Bit of a banger, to be fair; hope it’s on the selist.
Here are all the shows he has confirmed for next year, including that sure-to-be-electric gig at Victoria Warehouse in Manchester next spring:
Example UK tour dates 2026
Wed 13 May 2026 – Newcastle NX
Fri 15 May 2026 – Birmingham O2 Academy
Sat 16 May 2026 – London O2 Academy Brixton
Fri 22 May 2026 – Nottingham Rock City
Sun 24 May 2026 – Manchester O2 Victoria Warehouse
Pre-sale is set to go live this Wednesday, 12 November, and general admission for the Example Hits & Bits UK Tour will be available on the following Friday (14 Nov) at 10am; you can get ready to grab your tickets for his Manchester gig right HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
8th October 2024 
