The Gone Fishing star says he would rather ‘have three years less’ than follow the doctor’s order.
17:36, 26 Nov 2025
Bob Mortimer has spoken about the health conditions he faced in recent years (Image: BBC)
Bob Mortimer, the star of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, has confessed to disregarding medical advice to reduce his cheese intake following a health scare.
The 66-year-old comedian stated he would prefer to “have three years less” than alter his diet after undergoing triple heart bypass surgery.
In 2015, Bob had the operation, initially believing he was battling a chest infection, only to later find out that 95% of his arteries were blocked.
His doctor warned him that he was on the brink of having a heart attack on stage, leading to the cancellation of tour dates with his comedy partner, Vic Reeves.
Gone Fishing star Bob Mortimer admitted he ignored doctor’s warnings(Image: BBC/Owl TV)
Despite the fright, he’s prepared to gamble when it comes to relinquishing one of his favourite foods, reports the Express.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, he said: “The dietitian said, ‘You can have a matchbox-size [piece] every week’.
“That broke my heart. There are probably those who do stick to it, but I’m probably in the school of thought that I’d rather have three years less.”
Earlier this year, on Mel Giedroyc’s Where There’s A Will, There’s A Wake podcast, Bob admitted that he doesn’t fear death.
He expressed: “I don’t feel scared about death, I just feel so frustrated and sad to think I won’t see how stories end.
“My children’s story. My wife’s. The football. All the stories going on in the world that you’re going to miss the end of.”
The TV star had triple heart bypass surgery in 2015(Image: Getty)
Last year, Bob spoke candidly about his health challenges, including dealing with shingles and needing to use a wheelchair while filming Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.
He disclosed he “wasn’t very well” and needed to be “looked after” by co-star Paul Whitehouse following a six-month struggle with the illness which left him unable to walk.
He said: “I wasn’t very well and it made it a bit of a struggle but, as always, Paul looked after me and pulled me through.”
The Last One Laughing performer added that his health was improving as he worked to “grow muscle back”.
Bob previously confessed he doesn’t fear death(Image: Getty)
He previously shared: “I got a bit unlucky with it, I lost the use of one of my legs but it’s coming back now, I’m a bit limpy but I’m very grateful to be back up and going.”
Prior to contracting shingles, Bob disclosed he had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, explaining to Paul: “It’s been a very, very, very unhealthy year for me, Paul, with my shingles… And you know what – it was worse than my heart period.
“The muscles I’ve lost, I’ve lost… But other ones can compensate for it, you know what I mean?”
He continued: “I can make the other muscles stronger but I have a terrible feeling I’m never going to be able to run again and you know that I used to like to run Paul.”
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing can be watched on BBC iPlayer.
