Paul Whitehouse has paid a touching tribute to Gone Fishing dog Ted, telling Bob Mortimer "we will miss him" as the pair returned to the place where their four-legged companion first joined them. Their trip to Norfolk in the second episode of series nine prompted fond memories of the Patterdale Terrier cross, who died aged 13 in April this year.
Paul described their return as "fitting" and suggested raising a glass to Ted. Ted belonged to the programme's executive producer Lisa Clark and had become a much-loved fixture on the show. The series opener honoured him with a heartfelt title card, leaving viewers tearful. Episode two, now available on BBC iPlayer, sees Paul and Bob reflect on their late companion as they travel through the Norfolk countryside.
Reflecting on Ted's First Appearance
"Well, Bob, poor old Ted, eh?" Paul remarked. "Yeah, he would have liked this trip, wouldn't he?" Bob responded. "He would have loved it, it would have been right up his street, wouldn't it?" Paul agreed.
Bob recalled that Norfolk was the first place Ted had joined them, prompting Paul to say: "Well, it's fitting that we are back here now then, isn't it? We'll maybe raise a glass to Ted, because we will miss him."
The duo also shared a joke about their late friend, with Bob asking: "Do you think he will go up or down?" in reference to heaven and hell. "It's very hard to say, I think he will go up," Paul said. "But then be rejected," Bob joked.
Toasting a Beloved Companion
Later in the episode, while seated on the riverbank, the pair discussed Bob joining the gym with his son and reflected on how recklessly they had treated their bodies in their younger years. The conversation then turned back to Ted. Over a cup of tea, they raised a toast to their departed friend, with Paul suggesting Ted would be having a laugh up there.
"The people up there with him won't though, will they?" Bob replied. "I know, he will give them a piece of his mind," Paul joked, adding: "Teddy, we are going to miss him on the riverbank, Bob, aren't we?"
"Good company, he was," Bob reflected. "He was great, because he certainly didn't fawn over us, did he?" The exchange became more touching as Bob added: "He were grumpy... he had a very generous heart."
Viewers React to Ted's Tribute
"And that's why we loved him, poor old Teddy," Paul said as melancholy music played. Ted first appeared on screen in the third series, broadcast in September 2020. He subsequently became a regular fixture throughout the programme and was later honoured with a 'lifetime achievement award' during the 2025 Christmas special.
The rescue dog's passing and the tribute in the opening episode prompted viewers to share their reactions on Instagram following the show's return. One viewer posted: "#GoneFishing what a show, what an episode. Still sobbing. RIP Ted." Another commented: "That was a hard watch saying goodbye to Ted. He'll always be remembered as part of the #GoneFishing team. Thanks for the memories Ted."
Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing airs on Sundays on BBC Two at 9pm.
