Bob Mortimer has revealed why Gone Fishing is so popular amongst viewers.
On Saturday 8 August, the hit BBC cooking series hosted by Matt Tebbutt aired pre-recorded show Saturday Kitchen Best Bites. The spin-off sees "the best bits and favourite moments from Saturday Kitchen" with Saturday's instalment featuring a past show interview with Bob, 67, where he faces either his food heaven or hell.
Bob on the show's success
The repeat and past interview saw Matt, 52, ask Bob all about Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. The hit BBC Two show sees comedians and lifelong friends, Bob and Paul Whitehouse, embark on a fishing adventure around the UK and share their personal and hilarious experiences of life.
Matt said: "We had Paul on the show a while back. We were talking to him about it [Gone Fishing]. Why do you think it has been such a success?"
To which Bob admitted: "I think it's a nice thing to have in your front room, you know, we make the UK look so beautiful. And we take care with that to make sure that... we spend more time making the environment look gorgeous than we do on ourselves, really. It's very nice that Paul is so determined to get a fish and that I'm so not determined."
Unscripted chats with Paul
Talking about the candid chats on the show, Bob said: "We're on the riverbank for eight hours, Matt. So, you know, we just talk most of the time when we're not fishing. Then they try and find 30 seconds here or a minute there that's worth putting on the telly, you know."
"I don't think the show would work if it was scripted, because it is... I think a lot of people watch it. Certainly a lot of fellas watch it and think, 'Oh, that's me and my mate. That's what we're like.'"
Encouraging friendship
Matt then commented: "It's the sort of thing you need time to relax into. It's the sort of thing that a lot of blokes will look at and go, 'I wish I could do that with my mate.'"
Making an emotional admission about his hopes for the show, Bob responded: "I hope it does encourage people to do that, you know, whatever their age."
"To take out eight hours with a friend. You know, fellas tend to get together around a sporting event or something that they're doing together or have an hour in a pub."
"But to actually go and spend a good chunk of time with a friend, it's a very healthy thing to do, I reckon."
Saturday Kitchen Best Bites is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and BBC One.
