Paul Whitehouse, star of Gone Fishing, was mugged in broad daylight while withdrawing money from a cash machine in London. The 68-year-old's ordeal was recounted by his wife, Dr Mine Conkbayir, who took to social media to reveal that Paul had been out buying her medication when he was approached.
Attack on Essex Road
In an Instagram post, Dr Mine wrote: "Well, a horrid start to the weekend would be an understatement. Yesterday, I had a bad reaction to some treatment, which has left me feeling rather rotten."
"So, last night, Paul dashed out to get me some meds. He was mugged on Essex Road (Islington) – at the cashpoint beside the Sainsbury’s Local."
According to Dr Mine, the comedian managed to fight off his attacker and retrieve his card, leaving the thief to "scuttle away empty-handed".
Wife's plea for vigilance
"I kept shtum, out of respect, but he just came over, having taken our daughter to football, still frustrated. I asked whether he’d like me to post – he said yes – in the hope that it might help folk to be more aware when out and about."
She concluded: "So please, everyone – I don’t mean to patronise, but please be super vigilant out there."
The Fast Show star was quickly inundated with well-wishes from fans and celebrity pals who took to the comments with support.
Heart health admission
The attempted mugging comes just days after Paul made a candid admission about his health as he opened up with Bob Mortimer on Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.
The Welsh actor, who was diagnosed with coronary heart disease after undergoing life-saving bowel surgery, shared his hope that his heart stents would not be the cause of his death. Paul, who had three stents fitted in 2015, said: "I think they are going to outlast me.
"Like I bought a sofa recently that's probably going to outlast me, Bob. And I like to think my stents aren't going to be the cause of my demise, you know?"
His comments came after Bob suggested that although the stents required no upkeep, they might eventually need to be replaced. During the emotional episode, the pair spoke at length about their diets, treatments and ongoing medication, as Bob had an emergency triple heart bypass in October 2015 after learning that 95% of his arteries were blocked.
When asked about how the stents worked, Paul humorously explained: "Some sort of very high-tech, futuristic kind of steel sleeve. They put it in, blow it up, leave it. Get on with it. Let this man carry on delighting millions."
Addressing the lifestyle changes he's since made after treatment, the comedian shared: "What had to change, obviously, is diet. But it's very difficult to resist a mini chocolate doughnut, for example, isn't it?"
