Fans congratulate John Bishop as he shares touching wedding anniversary message
Fans sent well wishes to comedian John Bishop after he shared a touching message to mark his wedding anniversary.
The Liverpool-born star married Melanie in 1993 but has spoken about a rocky patch in their relationship which led to him first hitting the stand-up circuit.
The couple have three sons together and John previously revealed that their future looked bleak when he first turned to comedy.
He said: "There was no huge fight or revelation about someone else. We just grew apart.
“Maybe it had something to do with having three kids so quickly. For six years there was always someone in the house in nappies. Our marriage just faded.
'I'm spending £20k on a new bathroom - but won't help my brother out with cash'"You realise that the person you wanted to spend your life with no longer wants to be with you, or you with them. Suddenly it felt like walking round the house with drawing pins in your shoes."
John told the Big Interview in 2004 about how he performed his first stand-up gig while he was in the midst of an 18-month separation from his wife.
He said: "I was as miserable as sin at the time because I was going through a rocky period in my marriage, so it was either a lap dancing bar or a comedy club so I went to the Frog and Bucket."
He said: "We met up after the show and she said seeing me up there reminded her of me as I used to be.
“When I was a good laugh." It appears the joke worked, as the couple are still together to this day and living happily on a farm in rural Cheshire.
On Monday, John told his 850,000 Instagram followers that he and Melanie are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary.
Sharing a snap of himself and Melanie, who wore her original wedding dress, he said: "30 years ago today @melbish1 walked down the aisle in that dress. She took my breath away then and still does today."
He added that they spent the weekend with their bridesmaids and ushers from the wedding, who are "still the most important people in our lives and whose support has helped reach this far."
John added: "There are some things I wish I had done better and there are others that blow my mind because they went so well.
“After 30 years of marriage the one lesson I have learnt is that I am a stronger better man because she is the person who holds my hand and guides me through when all I can see is darkness .
'My sister tried to wear a wedding dress to my engagement party - I got revenge'"She still fits in the dress and my heart still fits in her pocket".
Fans were quick to offer support in the comments section. Pattie said: "So lovely!! Here’s wishing you many more decades of true love together!"
Ronnie said: "Happy anniversary guys", while Maria said: "What a lovely post, congrats" and Lynn said: "That's so lovely. I might put mine on in July for our 31st and see what my husband says!"