John Bishop is to front a new Saturday night entertainment show. The John Bishop Show will be an eight-part series, to be broadcast on BBC One this spring. This follows the success of his Christmas special, which attracted over 4.75 million viewers, making it the most watched stand-up show of 2014.

In the new series the Liverpudlian comic will introduce personally chosen acts from all over the globe at one of the country’s most famous stages, The Hackney Empire. Each show will kick-off in spectacular style with a big opening stunt featuring John and his guests.

Guests confirmed for the series include top comics Hal Cruttenden, Jimeoin, James Acaster, Lee Nelson, Trevor Noah, Alex Edelman, Chris Ramsey, Doc Brown and Tanyalee Davis. Music will come from Leona Lewis, Florence and the Machine, The Vaccines, Courteeners, Striking Matches and James Bay. 

John Bishop said: “I am really excited to bring this eight part series to BBC1. I am hoping the people at home will do as I would do if I was watching it and argue with their teenage kids about what was the best bit.”