Paul Whitehouse has revealed a significant dietary overhaul ahead of the ninth series of Gone Fishing. The 68-year-old actor and comedian will return to BBC Two on Sunday evening (October 25) alongside co-star Bob Mortimer, and the duo appears to have changed their lifestyles.
During a frank exchange with Bob, The Fast Show legend Paul revealed he has undertaken a substantial dietary transformation following a diabetes diagnosis. He said: "Well, I sort of was diagnosed that I've crept into Type 2 diabetes area. 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."
Cutting Out Chocolate
Bob responded by poking fun at Paul's fondness for sweet snacks, enquiring: "Do you not have chocolate frenzies no more?" as Paul confirmed: "No. I have two bits of dark chocolate that's basically torture and not chocolate".
Shooting Stars legend Bob, 67, recounted a specific incident in which Paul found himself scouring the house for chocolate. "One night when we were fishing, I saw you on top of the kitchen wall cabinets looking for it", he recalled.
Healthier Lifestyles
Paul confessed: "All my clothes were off, and I was just in a fury trying to find chocolate!", before continuing: "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."
Bob has also revealed plans to adopt a healthier lifestyle, though he has only visited the gym once. "I've got my kettlebells and weights at home, and I sit watching the telly doing exercises. I've really been working on it," he informed Paul, who was quick to poke fun at his colleague, reports the Mirror.
Grip Strength Test
"Bob's got good grip strength, and he can break apples, so he says", Paul quipped, "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."
BBC Two's Gone Fishing follows comedy icons Paul and Bob as they traverse some of Britain's stunning countryside and cast their rods in various lakes, rivers and canals. The duo share numerous laughs and sincere discussions as they grow older and reflect on their friendship.
The show first aired in 2018 and has become a place where conversations about life and death are prevalent, due in part to both presenters experiencing health difficulties.
Upcoming Series
The upcoming series of Gone Fishing will feature Paul and Bob, joined by cherished dog Ted for one last time, as they venture to Lancashire to fish in the River Ribble, before journeying to Norfolk for the second installment, where the duo angle beautiful lakes for bream.
The locations featured in this series carry special meaning for either Paul or Bob, enabling them to explore their history and recount their memories. Throughout the series, they will also visit Shetland, County Durham, County Tyrone and Hampshire. Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing airs Sunday at 9pm on BBC Two.
