Comic's first 10,000-seater gig

John Bishop is to become the latest comedian to play an arena gig, despite having only limited TV exposure.

The Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee is booked to perform the 10,500-seater Liverpool Arena in May. It will be a hometown gig for the former semi-professional footballer, who has twice sold out the city’s Empire theatre.

Bishop has appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and will be on Live At The Apollo tomorrow – and the gig demonstrates the power of BBC One’s mainstream stand-up shows to sell tickets.

The show will come in the same month that 22-year-old Kevin Bridges plays the 10,000-seater SECC in his home town of Glasgow. This time last year he was so unknown he booked a 50-seater venue at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Meanwhile, Mark Watson, Richard Herring and Reginald D Hunter have also announced live dates for 2010.

Watson promises his most personal show yet for his autumn tour, while Herring will be performing his Edinburgh hit Hitler Moustache from January.

See our On Tour page for full schedules.

Published: 18 Dec 2009