John Bishop

Comedy's in-demand Scouser, John Bishop, tells skysports.com about a lifetime as a Liverpool fan.

Comedy's in-demand Scouser, John Bishop, gives skysports.com his memories of a lifetime as a Liverpool fan

From trying to avoid going cheek-to-cheek on The Kop, to distracting former Chelsea forward Eidur Gudjohnsen, standup John Bishop has experienced it all in his life as a Liverpool supporter. The Scouser is a diehard follower of the Reds and has been since the day he was born, to result in hero worship of strike legend Kevin Keegan through to current captain Steven Gerrard. But over the past year an explosion of personal success has resulted in Bishop spinning his football-fan plate against that of a career as arguably the most-popular comedian on the circuit. The Liverpudlian's charm and open style has led to a starring role in Sky1's A League of Their Own, his own series on terrestrial television and a previous appearance on Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, while his current Sunshine Tour is already almost entirely sold out. Such incredible achievement leads to an overflowing diary. But ahead of Monday's DVD release of Bishop's Elvis Has Left The Building live show, the man himself still had time to have a chat with skysports.com about all things football.

Liverpool

It was a family decision before I was born. My Dad is definitely a passionate Liverpool fan. Normally me Dad and me brother go to every game and I go when I can. I went to the Chelsea match last weekend, it was a great game. I couldn't go to the Wigan game in midweek because I'm on tour now.

Liverpool v Middlesbrough

I can't remember. I think it was Liverpool against Middlesbrough. I think I was about seven. I remember that match because it was around New Year's Day and The Kop all had their scarves up for the Johnny Mathis song, When A Child Is Born. I had never seen that before, apart from, You'll Never Walk Alone, and in fact I've never seen it since. There are loads of other matches that stick in my memory. I suppose the one that rekindles everything was the UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg against Chelsea in 2005. That was as exciting a game as I can ever remember. What got me the most about that was Eidur Gudjohnsen had a late shot in front of the goal and I was right in his eye-line. I shouted, 'miss!' and he missed. I think it was all down to me.

Kevin Keegan

He was brilliant. I suppose, from Liverpool's point of view, it had always been about a team, and then Keegan was like a star. Although he didn't have the flair of Kenny Dalglish, he was a workhorse and his combination with John Toshack was fantastic. What about the current crop? I think that Steven Gerrard will go down as the best player that Liverpool have ever had. He is an unbelievable footballer. Obviously I like Jamie Carragher as well. And this season Lucas Leiva has turned the corner! He is starting to look like a great player.

Stuart Pearson

The one I loved to hate, although he was actually a very good player and I've met him since and he is a very nice man, was Pearson. He used to play for Manchester United. I don't know what it was, I don't know why, he didn't have a great record against Liverpool. But since I've met him, he's a lovely bloke.

Cheek-to-cheek on The Kop

Peoples' backsides. There were no seats. You were just crammed in until you could get on one of the barriers when your Dad lifted you up. That was the main memory. I miss it in some respects, but I think it's better now. The other thing about being so little when you went to matches was... how can I put it...? The way people used to go to the toilet. I don't miss that, I don't miss that at all.

Murdishaw

The first team I played for was at Under 11 or Under 13 level, something like that. It was for a team in Murdishaw. I was in the middle of midfield. In the Steven Gerrard role? Yeah, but nowhere near as good!

England's Admiral classics

The first complete kit that I got was probably the Admiral England kit. You could get Liverpool tops, but you could never get the shorts. So I got the full England kit. I've still got a few kits. I went through a phase of getting all foreign kits as well. Boca Juniors is my favourite.

Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, Manchester

It was at the Frog and Bucket in Manchester about 15 years ago. I can't remember who it was because it was a mixed bill. But I remember that one of the lads who I was with almost got us thrown out for heckling. John Bishop Live is available on DVD and itunes from Monday. For tour details, visit www.johnbishoponline.com.