John Bishop's mother dies: Heartbroken comedian pays tribute

John Bishop took to Instagram to announce the devastating news and pay tribute to his beloved mum on Thursday

He continued: 'As a family we are heartbroken. She was a mother, a grandmother and a great grandmother and she loved us all. Next week she would have been married to my Dad for 62 years and they had a love and a friendship that was beautiful to be around.

'We want to thank all of the brilliant staff at Whiston Hospital on ward 3C who could not have done more and provided exceptional care for us all.

'Anyone who has lost a parent will understand when I say it is a pain like no other.

'I will never have another mother but I will be eternally grateful for being lucky enough to have had the one I did. Good night Mum, your were our sunshine.'

Fans and famous friends rushed to the comments sections to send their condolences to the star.

Alan Carr wrote: 'Oh no John so sorry for your loss', while Richard E Grant posted a string of red heart emojis.

Claudia Winkleman said: 'Sending so much love xxx.'

And Luther's Warren Brown commented: 'So sorry for your loss mate, thinking of you all at this difficult time.'

John revealed how Kathy had been singing and dancing at his show Mother Goose just weeks before, and shared footage of her having a wonderful time as she watched her son on stage

It comes after John and Downton actor Hugh Bonneville were stunned to discover a surprising family link as they appeared on an ancestry television programme together.

The stars, who first became pals during lockdown after meeting each other by chance in a vaccine centre, uncovered their histories in ITV's DNA Journey.

The pair discover on the show that Hugh's ancestor, John Freeman, worked a short distance from John's relative Andrew Keegan.

John had a family bakery while Andrew had a music shop on Capel Street, Dublin.

The men were both part of unions and according to the programme, they both went on a march in support of workers' rights in the 1840s. 

The comedian has shared snaps of his mum on social media in her memory

John pictured alongside his mum Kathy, dad and niece 

After hearing the bombshell, John said: 'I thought it was a coincidence that you were at the vaccine centre. 

'To find out that generations before, our ancestors were working within 30 yards of each other... then to discover they were on a march together on the same day that started the path for discussions for Irish independence... staggering.'

Hugh, 59, added: 'That is quite spooky. It's the sliding doors of fate and time. 

'Not only are we friends, but I'd like to think that Andrew and John were friends back in the day.'

The show also sees the men uncover more fascinating family information, including about John's great-great-great grandfather Patrick Reardon.

Patrick started a business in the salt industry, travelling from Ireland to Liverpool. 

Alongside a gorgeous snap of the pair he wrote: 'Two weeks ago my Mum came to see me in Mother Goose in Liverpool and joined in the sing a long at the end as I knew she would'

Fans and famous friends rushed to send their condolences to the star

John (right) is currently in a touring production of Mother Goose alongside Ian McKellen (left)

Meanwhile, Hugh's ancestor Richard Bonniwell rallied to make working conditions for sailors better in the 1820s after working as a naval architect. 

It comes after the two stars shared selfies on their respective social media accounts in 2021 after their surprise encounter at the Midhurst Riverbank Medical Centre.

Hugh was volunteering at his local centre to help the fight against coronavirus throughout the pandemic.

John and Downton actor Hugh Bonneville were stunned to discover a surprising family link

Alongside a snap of himself and Hugh, John wrote: 'You know you've picked a posh centre when Hugh Bonneville volunteers here!

Meanwhile, Hugh shared a similar snap and wrote: 'My turn to ask for a selfie. @nobleandstace and I had to up our Welcome game when the one and only @johnbish100 arrived for his vaccination #MidhurstPharmacy #vaccination.'

Hugh was sporting a yellow hi-vis jacket and a face mask, which he pulled down for the photo opportunity with John - who was stood at a social distance.