John Bishop’s remarkable transformation from a factory worker residing on a council estate to a celebrated comedian with a fortune of £4.3 million is a true rags-to-riches story worthy of a Hollywood film.

Indeed, this compelling narrative has captured the attention of Hollywood, with acclaimed actor Bradley Cooper adapting Bishop’s life into a major film production.

In the UK, many recognize John, 59, for his self-effacing humor and sharp wit, earning him a beloved spot on popular programs like “Mock The Week” and “Have I Got News for You.”

Now, John’s story is poised to reach a global audience through the film “Is This Thing On?” This American comedy draws inspiration from his life, particularly how stand-up comedy played a pivotal role in salvaging his marriage to his wife, Melanie.

The film has garnered a commendable 87% ‘fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes and was co-written by Oscar-nominee Bradley Cooper, alongside Will Arnett and Mark Chappell.

In the film, Will Arnett takes on the role of Alex Novak, a man exploring the New York comedy scene for a new sense of purpose amid a failing marriage. Laura Dern stars as his wife, Tess, who grapples with the compromises she made for their family.

John Bishop looks set for global fame as the subject of Is This Thing On? Bradley Cooper’s new film that is loosely inspired by how he saved his marriage to wife Melanie (pictured this week)

Will Arnett stars as Alex Novak in the film – a man who seeks new purpose in the New York comedy scene after his marriage unravels, while Laura Dern is his wife Tess

The movie was co-written by Oscar-nominee Bradley, Will, and Mark Chappell. John pictured with Bradley, Laura and Will at the UK Gala screening this week

Arrested Development star Will recently appeared on The Graham Norton Show to discuss how the project meant to be, revealing he was ‘really taken’ by John’s story after they were introduced by a mutual friend. 

‘I asked him if I could make a movie about his life, which is kind of a daunting thing to ask somebody,’ Will recalled. 

‘It’s a weird thing to be asked, but he’s been great throughout and that was really the genesis of it.’ 

As a child, John could never have dreamed of the fame and fortune he would eventually have, having been raised on a council estate by father Ernie, who was a labourer, and mother Kathleen, who washed dishes in a factory canteen. 

John earned £35-per-week working in a factory and studying for his A-Levels at night school before going on to study Social Science at Manchester Metropolitan University. 

It was at the university library that he met his wife Melanie, who was on the same course but a year ahead.  

The couple tied the knot in 1993 and went on to welcome three sons, Joe, 31, Luke, 29, and Daniel, 27.

While now gearing up to celebrate their 33rd anniversary in May, their marriage nearly came to an end following an 18-month period of separation in 2000 and 2001.

John met his wife Melanie while studying Social Science at Manchester Metropolitan University. She was on the same course but a year ahead (pictured in 2013) 

At the time John was working as a salesman for pharmaceuticals company Syntex, and grew disillusioned with life. 

He previously told the Daily Mail: ‘We had three kids, and I was working all the hours God sends.

‘So I’d lost my sparkle, I suppose. I’d get out of the car on my phone, walk into the house, go into the study and carry on working.

‘Now I feel like punching myself in the head. I was doing what I thought was right, but I wasn’t putting the attention where I needed to. So Mel and I split up.’

Living alone in a semi, he was at risk of spiralling into depression. 

John added: ‘Because of the travelling in my job I didn’t know where I was going to be during the week, so I could only have the kids every weekend, which meant that on Mondays I was on a downer.

‘I used to drop them off at school knowing I wasn’t going to see them until the weekend and it just wiped me out. Mental health awareness wasn’t like it is now, where men are encouraged to chat to each other.’

Fate intervened one Monday night in October 2000 when, to cheer himself up, he headed for Manchester’s Frog & Bucket comedy club. 

The couple tied the knot in 1993 and went on to welcome three sons. While now gearing up to celebrate their 33rd anniversary in May, their marriage nearly came to an end following an 18-month period of separation in 2000 and 2001 (pictured in 2012) 

‘I wanted to go out and decided to go there,’ he recalled. ‘I didn’t know anything about comedy.

‘The bouncer said it was an open-mic night, but I didn’t even know what that meant. He said, “If you put your name down you only have to pay £4.” So I did, just to save a few quid because getting divorced is costly. I didn’t expect to get called up on stage!

‘The first man came on and did an impression of a chicken. It was the maddest thing I’ve seen. Then I was called up second, otherwise I would probably have left. I’d have paid £4 just to get out.

‘I thought, “Whoa!” I’d never been on a stage. But then I thought, “What have I got to lose? I’ll only be going back to an empty house.” So I did it… and that was it. I would just go on about therapy and divorced dads and what was going on in my life.

‘Three months later I got my first headline spots there. I often reflect upon the fact that my life could have been very different for the sake of that ten minutes.’

John kept his second job under his hat for ten months, but then he was invited to join a group of friends celebrating a birth at the Frog & Bucket and his secret was exposed.

‘You can only keep things secret for so long. I was working at the club that weekend so I told the manager not to put my name on the door, just to announce me from the stage. I was with my mates wetting the baby’s head, then I said I was going to the toilet and the next thing I walked out on stage. They were all like, “Whaaat?”

And when Melanie eventually found out, it saved their marriage. 

John rekindled with Melanie after finding happiness on the comedy circuit (pictured in 2014) 

‘She came to the Frog & Bucket on a work do. I was meant to have the kids but I had a call to say a comedian had dropped out, so I got a babysitter and went to the club.

‘I used to do a joke about missing my ex so much that I kept her severed head in the fridge. It’s not the best joke, and as I said it I realised the head that was meant to be in the fridge was in the audience.

‘We were at the decree nisi stage in our divorce at this point, so we only had to finalise the finances. I remember thinking, “That joke’s going to cost me another £20,000.” 

‘Afterwards she came over to the bar. I was expecting a row but instead we started chatting.’ This led to the couple agreeing to go to counselling and a reunion soon followed.

Today Melanie’s not just his soulmate, but also his mentor. ‘She comes to see me when a tour starts and then again six weeks or so later.

‘She can be honest with me and tell me what’s good and bad. If I’ve got any television decisions to make, I always ask her. In many respects she’s my audience. If I can make Melanie laugh, then I know it’s funny.’

In 2023 John and Melanie celebrated their Pearl wedding anniversary, with Melanie slipping back into her original wedding dress to celebrate the 30-year milestone.

John and Melanie are pictured with sons (L-R) Daniel, Luke, and Joe at the European premiere of Is This Thing On? in October

In 2023 John and Melanie celebrated their Pearl wedding anniversary, with Melanie slipping back into her original wedding dress to celebrate the 30-year milestone 

John documented the occasion on Instagram, sharing snaps of their party and writing: ’30 years ago today @melbish1 walked down the aisle in that dress. She took my breath away then and still does today. 

‘Last weekend we spent time with our bridesmaids (Jane and Jane) ushers (John, Paul, Sergie and Jimmy) and best man (our Eddie) who are still the most important people in our lives and whose support has helped reach this far.

‘It is amazing how quickly three decades pass. In that time there has been a million laughs and a million tears. 

‘Life doesn’t always comply with the perfect world that social media presents – no matter who you are there are days when it’s hard to see a way through.

‘There are some things I wish I had done better and there are others that blow my mind because they went so well. 

‘After 30 years of marriage the one lesson I have learnt is that I am a stronger better man because she is the person who holds my hand and guides me through when all I can see is darkness .

‘She still fits in the dress and my heart still fits in her pocket.’

Is This Thing On? is out now in the States and will open in UK cinemas on January 30.