Bob Mortimer has shared his thoughts on why Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing resonates with viewers, as a repeat episode airing tonight features Paul Whitehouse discussing his late mother's battle with Alzheimer's.
Mortimer on the show's appeal
Speaking on Saturday Kitchen, Mortimer said he hopes the programme encourages people to spend more time with friends, regardless of age. He explained that much of what viewers see comes from the pair simply talking during long hours by the water.
"We're on the riverbank for eight hours, Matt. So, you know, we just talk most of the time when we're not fishing," he said. The production team then sifts through those lengthy conversations to find moments that work on screen.
"They try and find 30 seconds here or a minute there that's worth putting on the telly," he explained, adding that he couldn't imagine the show working the same way if it were scripted. Mortimer also suggested part of the success comes from relatability, with viewers recognising their own friendships in the pair's dynamic.
"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,'" he said.
Whitehouse on his mother's illness
The relaxed conversations between Mortimer and Whitehouse have become a defining feature of the show, covering topics beyond fishing, including health and personal experiences. In a repeat episode airing tonight (Monday, August 10), Whitehouse, 68, reflected on his mother Anita May Whitehouse, who died in January 2022 after suffering from Alzheimer's.
Introducing the subject, Mortimer asked: "Alzheimer's is the big for you though, isn't it?" Whitehouse replied: "Well, it is, you know. My poor mum, there was no existence. It's become one of the biggest killers now."
The pair have never shied away from difficult conversations, with their friendship providing a backdrop for discussions about serious health issues and major life events. Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing airs tonight at 10pm on BBC Two.
