Gone Fishing: Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse take personal journey in new series of hit show
Bob Mortimer says that the upcoming series of Gone Fishing will adopt a “slightly different approach”, featuring more personal elements. The popular series, which began in 2018, returns this month for its eighth instalment, with BBC Two unveiling a first glimpse teaser showing what viewers can anticipate.
Starring Teessider Bob and Paul Whitehouse, the duo have also revealed that for the programme’s latest run, they personally select each destination, tracing the wider paths of their own lives. “The thrust of this series is that we go to places that we’ve either fished before or resonate with us from our past or mean a lot, and, and so I think there’s maybe an extra level of poignancy to this series, it’s a little bit more heartfelt,” Paul said.
Bob, who is known for being an all round comedy legend, Would I Lie To You master, Last One Laughing champion and a huge Boro fan, added: “We wanted to be free to pick the places we’ve always wanted to go and places which, sort of, personally meant something to us. So, it’s just a slightly different approach, you know, rather than just focusing on species of fish.”
Bob, who grew up in Acklam, and Paul previously filmed a Christmas episode of the hit show on Bob’s home patch. It aired in 2020 and showed the pair fishing on the Esk and the Tees, visiting Staithes and Cowbar as well as some of the spectacular moorland scenery on the North York Moors.
A new 20-second preview contains clips from the forthcoming series and is ‘narrated’ by the dog Ted, who also appears in the programme, reports the Mirror..
“Two muppets talking absolute carp again,” the canine remarks, as Bob and Paul converse beside a waterway. But let’s be honest, you don’t tune in just for them, you come for me too!” he added.
Whilst Bob and Paul transport Ted along in a trolley during one episode, he quips: “See! I’m their catch of the day!” Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, which began in 2018, has garnered a significant following, with a new series airing annually since its inception. Bob and Paul have also produced special Christmas episodes of the show in recent years.
BBC Commissioning Editor Patrick McMahon expressed his delight at the confirmation of the new series, stating: “We’re so happy to welcome Paul and Bob back for another slice of fishing, friendship and riverbank philosophy.
“Following their adventures and spending time in their company is always a treat, and this series promises to be the most personal and pleasurable yet.”
