SCOUSE comedian John Bishop is preparing to appear in East Lancashire this week.

The 47-year-old comic and actor is performing his ‘supersonic tour’, Work In Progress, from 8pm on Thursday and Friday at King George’s Hall, Blackburn. He will use the shows to try out new material before his autumn UK Arena shows.

Bishop, who has appeared on shows such as 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Live at the Apollo, raised more than £3m for Sport Relief in 2012.

He played non-league football and worked as a pharmaceutical salesman before trying his hand at stand-up comedy.

He has also acted in E4’s teen drama Skins and in the Ken Loach film ‘Route Irish’.

Tickets for the shows cost £15 but are sold out.