Parenting Hell with Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe S12 EP8: John Bishop
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Jan 30, 2026 John Bishop, English comedian and actor known for stand-up and the film Is This Thing On?, talks family life and his rise from pharma to comedy. He shares how fatherhood shaped his career choices. He recounts making a documentary about his son Joe’s hearing, turning memories into a film, and the surreal impact of sudden fame on family dynamics.
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Navigating A Teen's Hearing Loss
- John describes his son Joe's fluctuating hearing loss as a turbulent teenage period that felt like being unheard at home.
- The family navigated diagnosis, hearing aids and lip-reading until his hearing stabilised around 75% loss.
Learning Sign Language Together
- John made a documentary learning sign language to perform for a deaf audience and to connect with Joe's world.
- He used the project to rebuild communication with his son and explore the deaf community together.
Parenting In A Different Era
- John reflects that parenting is harder now because children grow up in a digital, image-driven world he didn't experience.
- He observes that life experience with age makes you a softer, more understanding parent over time.