![\"Netflix's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GettyImages-1851900000.jpg\")
\n\t\tBradley Cooper is directing an upcoming movie based on the life of a British comedian (Picture: Axelle\/ Bauer-Griffin\/ FilmMagic)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tBradley Cooper is directing an upcoming movie based on the life of a British comedian (Picture: Axelle\/ Bauer-Griffin\/ FilmMagic)<\/p>\n
A film based on the life of comedian John Bishop<\/a> is being directed by Hollywood heavyweight Bradley Cooper<\/a>.<\/p>\n John, 58, was formerly a semi-professional football player, being a midfielder for teams including Winsford United, Crewe Alexandra and Runcorn.<\/p>\n After studying social science, he later became a medical representative for the pharmaceutical company Syntex, where he worked until leaving to pursue his comedy career <\/a>full-time at the age of 40.<\/p>\n In the years since he\u2019s become known for his stand-up <\/a>and appearing on TV shows including The Panel, Skins and Doctor Who<\/a>, as well as hosting his own shows like John Bishop\u2019s Britain, John Bishop\u2019s Only Joking and The John Bishop Show.<\/p>\n It\u2019s now been revealed that John is the subject of a new biopic, which will be directed by Bradley<\/a>, 50, and written by Arrested Development star Will Arnett<\/a>, 54.<\/p>\n The movie \u2013 titled Is This Thing On? \u2013 is a romantic comedy about a man who starts stand-up comedy after the breakdown of his marriage.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t In 2000, when his marriage with wife Melanie was on the brink of divorce, John attended a comedy club in Manchester and decided to try his hand at stand-up.<\/p>\n The movie was first announced in 2023, when Deadline reported the name of the upcoming release and the fact that Bradley and Will would be involved.<\/p>\n Will is set to play the character based on John, while his wife will be played by Laura Dern.<\/p>\n Although plot details were kept under wraps, it was also revealed that John would be an executive producer.<\/p>\n Speaking on the latest episode of Richard Herring\u2019s RHLSTP podcast<\/a>, comedian Chloe Radcliffe, who appears in the film as a stand-up comic, spilled some additional details.<\/p>\n \u2018I think Will and John sat next to each other at a dinner 10 years ago and Will heard his story and was like \u201cthat rules\u201d. And, so anyway, that\u2019s the movie I just wrapped on four days ago.\u2019<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t \t\t Although the film is inspired by John\u2019s life, the characters\u2019 names are changed, and the number of American cast members suggest it will be set in the United States.<\/p>\n Is This Thing On? Marks Bradley\u2019s third time as a director after previously leading the 2018 remake of A Star is Born and 2023\u2019s Maestro, both of which he starred in. Both picked him up several Oscar nominations.<\/p>\n Last year John, who is embarking on an anniversary tour later this year to mark 25 years since his first stand-up gig, revealed the joke that saved his marriage<\/a>.<\/p>\n After marrying Melanie in 1993, seven years later they split for 18 months.<\/p>\n John first got on stage in Manchester\u2019s Frog and Bucket at the age of 33 to cheer himself up after splitting from Melanie, agreeing to get on stage and try to make the audience laugh in order to avoid paying the \u00a34 entry fee.<\/p>\n \t\t \u2018I used to do a joke about missing my ex so much that I kept her severed head in the fridge,\u2019 he told The Mirror.<\/p>\n \u2018It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u2018We were at the decree nisi stage in our divorce at this point, so we only had to finalise the finances. I remember thinking, \u201cThat joke\u2019s going to cost me another \u00a320,000.\u201d. Afterwards she came over to the bar. I was expecting a row but instead we started chatting.\u2019<\/p>\n The chat ended in the couple agreeing to get counselling, and they got back together after 18 months apart, going on to have three sons \u2013 Joe, Luke and Daniel.<\/p>\n Metro has contacted Searchlight and representatives for Bradley Cooper and John Bishop for comment.<\/p>\n Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow![\"STRICTLY](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_245315497-7ae0.jpg\")
\n\t\tIs This Thing On? has been inspired by John Bishop (Picture: Brian J Ritchie\/ Hotsauce\/ Shutterstock)<\/p>\n![\"John](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_196663000-8083.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe comedian quit his job to pursue stand up when he was 40 (Picture: Ian West\/ PA Wire)<\/p>\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_33022593-1e12.jpg\")
\n\t\tBradley previously directed and starred in 2018\u2019s A Star is Born alongside Lady Gaga (Picture: AP)<\/p>\n![\"This](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_180999933-bdc5.jpg\")
\n\t\tHe went on to play Leonard Bernstein in the Oscar-nominated film Maestro, which he also directed (Picture: Jason McDonald\/ Netflix via AP)<\/p>\n![\"JIMMY](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/SEI_249458130-3353.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe script has been written by Will Arnett (Picture: ABC via Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Mandatory](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/PRI_179198207-f978-e1746030595224.jpg\")
\n\t\tJohn\u2019s first stand-up show came as his marriage to wife Melanie was on the brink (Picture: Brett Cove\/ SOPA Images\/ Rex\/ Shutterstock)<\/p>\n
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