Paul Whitehouse has opened up about the heartbreaking reality of his late mother's Alzheimer's disease during a repeat episode of the BBC show Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, which airs tonight (Monday, August 10). The 68-year-old spoke candidly with co-host Bob Mortimer about his mother, Anita May Whitehouse, who passed away in January 2022.
Reflecting on His Mother's Condition
In the conversation, Bob Mortimer initiated the topic, saying: "Alzhemier's is the big for you though, init?" Paul replied: "Well, it is, you know. My poor mum, there was no existence. It's become one of the biggest killers now."
The star's comments highlight the stark reality of the condition, which he has previously discussed in interviews following his mother's death in September 2022.
A Beloved Show with Honest Conversations
Paul and Bob have often spoken openly on the show, touching on personal topics such as their shared heart procedures and life events. In a past interview on Saturday Kitchen, Bob explained why the show resonates with viewers: "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."
Bob also shared insight into the unscripted nature of the show: "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 and Connection
When Saturday Kitchen host Matt Tebbutt suggested the show encourages men to experience similar trips with friends, Bob agreed: "I hope it does encourage people to do that, you know, whatever their age."
Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing airs on BBC Two tonight at 10pm.
