PAUL WHITEHOUSE’S HEARTBREAKING HEALTH UPDATE: THE GONE FISHING STAR GIVES UP CHOCOLATE AFTER TYPE 2 DIABETES DIAGNOSIS
PAUL WHITEHOUSE’S HEARTBREAKING HEALTH UPDATE: THE GONE FISHING STAR GIVES UP CHOCOLATE AFTER TYPE 2 DIABETES DIAGNOSIS
The 68-year-old comedian has revealed a major change to his lifestyle, while his best friend Bob Mortimer faces his own health challenges. But as the pair prepare to return to television, their beloved terrier Ted is also set to make one final, emotional appearance.
Fans of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing are preparing for a series filled with familiar laughter, beautiful British scenery and heartfelt conversations about life, friendship and growing older.
But behind the gentle humour, stars Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer have shared candid updates about their health that reveal a more serious side to their lives away from the riverbank.
Whitehouse, 68, has revealed that he has been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, prompting him to make significant changes to his diet and daily routine. Meanwhile, Mortimer, 67, has been trying to improve his fitness despite an unexpected setback during his first visit to the gym.
The upcoming ninth series also carries an emotional significance for the pair: it will feature the final appearance of Ted, the much-loved terrier who became a familiar presence throughout their fishing adventures.
PAUL WHITEHOUSE GIVES UP HIS BELOVED CHOCOLATE
For years, Whitehouse’s fondness for chocolate has been a recurring source of amusement between the two comedians.
Now, however, the Fast Show star has revealed that his health has forced him to rethink the habit.
Speaking about his diagnosis, Whitehouse explained that his blood sugar levels had entered the type 2 diabetes range. He has since begun taking prescribed medication and has made substantial changes to what he eats and drinks.
“I’ve cut almost all sugar out, and I’m also prescribed some medication for it,” he said.
He also admitted that giving up his favourite chocolate treats had been particularly difficult.
Whitehouse joked that he had stopped eating Maltesers and was left with just two pieces of dark chocolate, which he humorously described as being “basically torture”.
His comments prompted laughter from Mortimer, who recalled just how determined his friend could be when searching for something sweet.
The exchange offered a glimpse of the familiar banter that has made the programme so popular, even as Whitehouse acknowledged the importance of taking his diagnosis seriously.
His lifestyle changes also include limiting alcohol consumption and paying closer attention to his diet.
BOB MORTIMER’S FITNESS PLANS HIT AN UNEXPECTED HURDLE
Whitehouse is not the only member of the duo trying to make changes for his health.
Mortimer has also been working to improve his fitness following a history of significant medical challenges.
In 2015, the comedian underwent triple heart bypass surgery after doctors discovered severe blockages in his coronary arteries. Whitehouse has also experienced serious heart problems and previously had three stents fitted after being diagnosed with coronary heart disease.
Their experiences helped inspire Gone Fishing, which began in 2018 and combines their love of fishing with conversations about health, ageing and friendship.
Mortimer has recently been using kettlebells and weights at home, often exercising while watching television.
However, his attempts to become more active have not gone entirely to plan.
After signing up for a gym membership, he reportedly injured his toe during his first visit, giving Whitehouse another opportunity to tease his friend about his fitness ambitions.
Mortimer insists that he has continued exercising at home, making use of his equipment and trying to maintain a more active routine.
Behind the jokes, the pair’s openness reflects their awareness that looking after their health is increasingly important as they grow older.
TWO FRIENDS WHO HAVE FACED SERIOUS HEALTH CHALLENGES
The relationship between Whitehouse and Mortimer is central to the appeal of Gone Fishing.
Their friendship stretches back decades, long before the BBC programme brought their quiet fishing trips into viewers’ homes.
The series developed after Mortimer underwent heart surgery, with Whitehouse helping his friend reconnect with the outdoors and enjoy time away from the pressures of everyday life.
Rather than presenting fishing as a competitive sport, the programme focuses on companionship, conversation, nature and the pleasure of sharing simple experiences.
Over the years, the pair have discussed their medical histories and the realities of getting older with characteristic humour and honesty.
Their latest revelations add another layer to that story. Whitehouse is adjusting to life with a new diagnosis, while Mortimer continues to manage the effects of previous health problems and a flare-up of rheumatoid arthritis.
Neither man has allowed those challenges to erase the humour that defines their friendship.
Instead, their conversations offer viewers a reminder that serious changes in life can coexist with laughter, affection and a determination to keep enjoying the things that matter.
A FINAL FAREWELL TO TED THE TERRIER
As the new series approaches, one of its most emotional moments will involve a familiar four-legged companion.
Ted, the Patterdale terrier who regularly joined Whitehouse and Mortimer on their fishing trips, died in April 2026 at the age of 13.
Owned by executive producer Lisa Clark, Ted first appeared in the programme in 2020 and quickly became a favourite among viewers.
His personality was part of the show’s charm. While the two comedians chatted, cooked and cast their lines, Ted could often be found exploring the riverbank, looking for food or simply enjoying the surroundings.
His apparent indifference to the stars’ antics became a running joke, with both men affectionately recalling how little attention he seemed to pay them.
Yet his presence brought a distinctive warmth to the series, and his absence will be felt by the production team as well as its audience.
The opening episode of the ninth series features Ted on the River Ribble in Lancashire, where he is seen drinking from the river and playing along the bank.
For Whitehouse and Mortimer, the episode provides a final opportunity to share a fishing adventure with their much-loved companion.
Mortimer described having one last trip with Ted as a highlight, while Whitehouse fondly remembered the dog’s unique personality.
The farewell is expected to be especially poignant for viewers who have followed Ted’s appearances over several years.
A NEW SERIES WITH A DIFFERENT KIND OF MEANING
The ninth series of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing returns to the familiar format that has made it a distinctive part of the BBC’s television schedule.
Whitehouse continues to demonstrate his knowledge of fishing, while Mortimer brings his own approach to cooking and conversation.
The pair also welcome comedian and actor Reece Shearsmith during their travels, adding another familiar face to the new adventures.
Yet this series arrives at a time when both men are more openly discussing the limitations and uncertainties that come with age and health problems.
Their experiences do not take away from the show’s humour. Instead, they help explain why its quieter moments can feel so meaningful.
A fishing trip becomes an opportunity to talk honestly, enjoy the countryside and appreciate the company of a trusted friend.
Ted’s final appearance adds another dimension to that message, reminding viewers how much an animal can contribute to shared memories and everyday happiness.
FRIENDSHIP, HEALTH AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MOMENT
Paul Whitehouse’s decision to change his diet following his type 2 diabetes diagnosis marks a significant adjustment for a man who has long joked about his love of chocolate.
Bob Mortimer’s efforts to remain active show that making changes can come with frustrations and unexpected setbacks.
And the farewell to Ted brings a sense of sadness to a programme built around companionship and the enjoyment of life’s simpler pleasures.
Together, these stories give the new series a more reflective tone without taking away the warmth that audiences have come to expect.
For Whitehouse and Mortimer, fishing remains about far more than catching fish. It is a chance to spend time together, talk openly and continue making memories despite the challenges life brings.
As the pair return to the riverbank, fans will see the same friendship and familiar humour that have defined the series. But with Whitehouse adapting to a new health diagnosis, Mortimer working to stay active and Ted making his final appearance, the new episodes also offer a touching reminder to treasure the people and companions who make life’s journey special.
Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing returns to BBC Two on Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 9 p.m.
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