Paul Whitehouse has overhauled his diet after being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, describing the change as "torture" as he prepares to return to BBC Two's Gone Fishing alongside Bob Mortimer.
The 68-year-old comedian revealed the diagnosis during a candid conversation with co-star Bob Mortimer ahead of the new series, which airs on Sunday, October 25. The pair are expected to appear more health-conscious than in previous seasons of the show.
Cutting out Maltesers
Whitehouse explained that he had "crept into Type 2 diabetes area" and attributed the condition to his lifestyle and age. He said: "I think with my lifestyle and our age, I think it's quite common, actually. I could probably have reduced it by cutting out the Maltesers, which I've done. I've just done it, Bob."
Mortimer, 67, responded by asking whether Whitehouse still experienced "chocolate frenzies," to which Whitehouse replied: "No. I have two bits of dark chocolate that's basically torture and not chocolate."
Chocolate hunt recalled
Mortimer recalled a moment when Whitehouse was searching the house for chocolate during a fishing trip. "One night when we were fishing, I saw you on top of the kitchen wall cabinets looking for it," he explained.
Whitehouse admitted: "All my clothes were off, and I was just in a fury trying to find chocolate!" He added: "I do remember that night. We'd been fishing in the day, we'd gone down to that little lake in the grounds and caught some big trout, remember? And I thought I deserved a reward, a chocolate reward, but there was no chocolate in the house, and I went mad. Now I don't have that. Anyway, I've cut almost all sugar out, and I'm also prescribed some medication for it."
Health goals and new series
Mortimer also confirmed his intention to lead a healthier lifestyle, though he has only been to the gym once. He said: "I've got my kettlebells and weights at home, and I sit watching the telly doing exercises. I've really been working on it." Whitehouse joked about Mortimer's grip strength, saying: "Bob's got good grip strength, and he can break apples, so he says. I don't know if it's a trick or not. It might be a Uri Geller type thing you've got going there. But we tested grip strength, and he absolutely destroyed me."
The new season sees the pair accompanied by beloved dog Ted for the final time as they head to Lancashire to fish the River Ribble before travelling to Norfolk for the second episode, where they fish for bream. The destinations hold personal significance for either Paul or Bob, allowing them to explore their pasts. Gone Fishing first aired in 2018 and has become known for conversations about life and death, partly due to both presenters' health difficulties. Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing airs Sunday at 9pm on BBC Two.
