John Bishop has said the “Irish are the reason” he went full-time into comedy.

The Liverpudlian has been touring the country in recent weeks and has also taken some time off to enjoy the Wild Atlantic Way.

On The Pat Kenny Show, he said the Irish people hold a special place in his heart.

He said he recently did a DNA test and discovered the true extent of his Irish heritage.

“I knew there was some Irish in me, obviously with the Liverpool connection,” he said.

“I just didn’t know there was as much as there is; I’m 65% Irish, so almost two-thirds of me.

“I’m going to say below the knee is English.”

Career

Mr Bishop said Ireland has played an important role in his career.

“The Irish are without doubt the reason I went full-time with comedy,” he said.

“I did my first television break in Ireland, my first one-man show in Ireland.

“They will let you know if you're funny, but they’ll also let you know if you’re not.”

"The Irish are without doubt the reason that I went full-time with comedy." @JohnBishop100 on @PatKennyNT. pic.twitter.com/LW6bEYXl2w

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) June 10, 2024

The 57-year-old comedian said he had an interesting encounter with an elderly lady at a gig in Galway in recent weeks.

“The oldest person I know to have come to one of my shows was in Galway, a lady called Francis who is 92,” he said.

“We had a drink during the interval; it’s lovely to know you appeal to such a wide range of people.

“I said, ‘I’m honoured you’ve come because some of this audience has ages left’.

“It’s true, she made a decision to spend a night with me, which is great.”

The Derrynane coastline on the Ring of Kerry on the Wild Atlantic Way, 21-02-2018. Image: Trish Punch/Design Pics via ZUMA Wire

Mr Bishop said he also took some personal time to take in the Irish countryside on his visit.

“I got a BMW GS1300, which for anyone who’s into motorbikes, it’s a good motorbike and if you’re not into bikes it sounds impressive,” he said.

“What’s good about it for Ireland is it just takes the bends off the roads.

“I used it on the Wild Atlantic Way; I fulfilled a lifetime ambition and did gigs on the way that took me to places I'd never heard of like Belmullet.”

Letterkenny

He had one interesting encounter in Letterkenny on his adventures.

“I turned a bend, and a woman was waving me to slow down,” he said.

“I turned around and there’s 50 cows in the road; then I noticed there was a bull amongst the cows, the bull then climbed on the back of another cow.

“It couldn’t have been more rural Irish.”

The comedian also added he was “absolutely honoured” to have led a biker parade in Killarney last month.

You can listen back here:

Main image: John Bishop with Pat Kenny in studio today. Image: Newstalk