Comedian made Unity patron

Stand up comic John Bishop has become a new patron of Liverpool’s Unity Theatre.

Following appearances in his own BBC show, John Bishop’s Britain, he will now join a list of talent to have pledged their support to the theatre, including actors David Morrissey and Andrew Lancel, director Josette Bushell-Mingo and theatre entrepreneur and Everton FC chairman Bill Kenwright.

Since his first performance at the Unity in 2006, he has gone on to perform at the theatre a further five times, his last being in May 2010 where he previewed material later seen in his many television appearances.

Graeme Phillips, artistic director at the Unity, said: “Unity Theatre is excited to welcome John Bishop as a Unity patron following a long and successful association with our theatre. As a leading comedian and performer John is a high-profile patron who can help us represent the wide variety of work showing at Unity, raise the profile of Liverpool’s most well-loved venue and we look forward to his return in 2011.”