“I’m Forgetting Things”: Bob Mortimer Opens Up on Health Battle and Growing Older Ahead of Emotional Return to Gone Fishing



Comedy legend Bob Mortimer has opened up with unflinching honesty about his ongoing health struggles and the realities of growing older — just as he returns to the BBC alongside close friend and co-star Paul Whitehouse for a brand-new series of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.

The beloved comedian, now 66, revealed that he’s still battling the effects of a recent health setback and feeling the toll of time — both physically and mentally — as he and Paul embark on another season of reflective riverside adventures.

“I’m still suffering very much with recovering from shingles,” Mortimer shared candidly. “I lost a lot of muscle — an awful lot in my legs — and I’m just desperately trying to get some strength back in them.”

Despite his challenges, the Middlesbrough-born star remains characteristically upbeat.

“It doesn’t really change my lifestyle or anything,” he added. “I can’t run — but I don’t do much running these days anyway, so it’s not a problem.”

“We’re Forgetting Things” — Bob on Aging, Friendship, and Acceptance

Mortimer’s reflections aren’t just about recovery — they’re about the quiet realities of growing older.
In the new series, both he and Whitehouse have embraced a gentler rhythm, one that mirrors their changing lives.

“Both me and Paul talk about it quite a few times — we’re beginning to feel our age,” Bob admitted with a laugh. “We’re not as fast, we’re not as strong, and we’re forgetting things. We’re a bit more grumpy too.”

He added, with the self-deprecating humour fans love him for:

“We look physically a lot different from the first seasons, that’s for sure! We’ve aged. As has Ted!”

For long-time fans, that acknowledgment feels both tender and timeless — a reminder that Gone Fishing has never really been about fishing at all, but about friendship, mortality, and the beauty of slowing down.

A Series Steeped in Nostalgia and New Meaning

This season, Mortimer and Whitehouse took more creative control, personally selecting the destinations they visit — places tied to memory, laughter, and the long thread of their lives.

One location, in particular, struck a deeply personal chord for Mortimer.

“My nostalgia trip took me back to Manchester,” he shared. “I saw one of my oldest friends, Paddy — I hadn’t seen him for maybe 25 years, maybe even longer.”

It wasn’t an easy series to film.

“It was one of our most challenging fishing trips,” Bob admitted. “We didn’t catch as many as we’d hoped, but we got some proper clonkers — including a beautiful carp in Wales.”

But, as always, the magic of Gone Fishing isn’t in the catch — it’s in the company.

Comfort Food, Camaraderie, and Comedy — The Mortimer Way

As in every series, Mortimer’s role as chef and comic host continues to shine.

“I always cook for Paul — he’s very kind and says he likes all my meals,” Bob said with a grin. “But this time, I think he genuinely enjoyed what I made in Manchester… though technically, it was just takeaway fish and chips.”

Paul’s personal favourite?

“Venison cooked on stones in Findhorn, Scotland,” Bob revealed. “But honestly, I think cutting his hair this season was my proudest moment — turns out I might be a better hairdresser than a fisherman.”

It’s classic Mortimer — humour tinged with humility, storytelling laced with sincerity.

The Return Fans Have Been Waiting For

With a loyal following and a legacy built on laughter and heart, Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing remains one of the BBC’s most quietly powerful shows — a balm of friendship, nature, and gentle reflection in an age of noise.

Each episode balances humour with heart, nostalgia with newness. And for Bob Mortimer, this series feels particularly poignant. It’s not just about returning to the screen — it’s about celebrating the life, laughter, and friendships that keep him going.

“At our age, it’s not about chasing trophies or big catches,” he said. “It’s about moments — the stillness, the jokes, the little victories. That’s what matters.”

A Warm Reminder from Britain’s Favourite Double Act

For viewers, Bob’s honesty serves as both a comfort and a mirror — a reminder that even comedy’s greats are human, vulnerable, and aging just like the rest of us.

And as the duo return for another series filled with laughter, landscapes, and the quiet magic of British waterways, fans can expect more than just fish tales — they’ll see a beautiful meditation on life itself.

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing airs Sundays at 9pm on BBC Two.

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