John Bishop just got a fair bit of flak for moving his comedy gig so he can watch ‘the boys’ play at the Euro 2024 final against Spain.
Last night, with a fail-safe Harry Kane penalty and a 28-year-old Ollie Watkinshitting the back of the net in the 90th minute, England beat the Netherlands 2 – 1 in what was a nail-biting semi-final.
With the Lions skipping onto the pitch with a renewed gusto, the country were left gob-smacked at Gareth Southgate’s squad’s performance, which qualified them for this Sunday’s final at 8pm.
Unluckily for the 57-year-old comedian, he also had a comedy gig in Wolverhampton at 8pm on Sunday evening. On discovering the clash, John took to social media to inform fans there was ‘no chance’ that was going to happen in light of England’s success.
Filming himself in the immediate aftermath of the result on Wednesday night, John looked at the camera and said: ‘This is a message to all the people coming to Wolverhampton on Sunday. I’m not doing the show at 8 o’clock.
‘The show is going to get moved to the afternoon. You’re all going to get an email in the morning telling you the time.
‘I know it won’t suit everyone so if anyone can’t make it we will get you a refund. But we’re definitely going to move the time to Sunday afternoon, because there’s no chance I’m going to do it at 8 o’clock because I’m going to be busy watching these boys.’
Some fans were horrified at the comedian’s decision, while others thought it was absolutely fair enough – as the last time England men’s team won the Euros was, well, never.
‘That is such unprofessional behaviour to be honest. So a football match makes you inconvenience people who like you but maybe don’t like football,’ wrote @duaneomac87.
‘Total disrespect for your fans,’ said Stuart Franklin, while Yvonne McLure added: ‘How unprofessional! That’s ridiculous!’
‘Train gets in at 5. FANTASTIC! A Scotsman now with f**k all to do and a hotel for no reason,’ wrote a sarcastic @Carlos16rfc, while Michael Fogarty said it was ‘outrageously unprofessional’.
But others totally understood John’s move, as Scott Jenkin said: ‘A lot of people calling John ‘unprofessional’ for moving one show forward… I know it’s our second final in three years, but hear me out… it’s – pretty much – a once in a lifetime event. Give the lad the night off.’
Fan @manutdazza added, ‘Fantastic, well done John. Absolutely the right thing to do,’ while @CrabmanGM said: ‘Good call.’
‘Love it!’ added @taa_liz, who continued: ‘We all wanna be in the pub/living room come 8pm! Come on boys.’
The Lionesses won the Euros in 2022, while the Lions’ only major trophy in their history remains the 1966 World Cup triumph on home soil.
England reached the Euro 2020 final, but lost to Italy on penalties.
You can watch the Euro 2024 final on BBC One or ITV 1 on Sunday, with kick-off at 8pm.