Gone Fishing's beloved terrier Ted has died at the age of 13, leaving behind a legacy of laughter and heartwarming moments on the BBC series. The Patterdale Terrier mix, owned by executive producer Lisa Clark, first appeared alongside comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse in 2020 and quickly became a fan favourite. Over six years, Ted charmed viewers with his mischievous antics, from stealing food to developing a fictional backstory as an explosives expert searching for his briefcase. His final appearance will be in the upcoming ninth series of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, set to air later this year.
Tributes from Bob and Paul
Following the news of Ted's passing, Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse paid heartfelt tributes. Bob said: 'So very, very sad. Lovely Ted, the best companion and the greatest little chum. Going to miss him so much... and away boss.' Paul added: 'Bye bye Ted old friend. He wasn't a dog, he was a species all of his own. He's gone to the great briefcase emporium in the sky. We will really miss you mate.'
Owner Lisa Clark said: 'Ted was a much-loved family pet as well as a treasured companion to Paul and Bob on Gone Fishing. He took fame in his little stride and loved nothing better than messing around on the riverbanks, nicking Jammy Dodgers from Bob and bait from Paul. He will be sorely missed both at home and on screen. We'll never forget him.'
Ted's Most Memorable Moments
Getting His Backstory
Ted first appeared on the series in 2020, but it was in 2021 that Bob and Paul began giving him a fictional backstory. During a lakeside scene in Wales, they gave Ted a 'voice', with Paul putting on a gruff tone. In later seasons, they revealed Ted was adopted at six months old from a Surrey shelter and developed a storyline about him being an explosives expert searching for a missing briefcase. This led to a book, Pup Fiction: An Epic Journey with Gone Fishing, which detailed his quest.
Comparing Teeth
In 2020, during a fishing trip in Norfolk, Bob noticed Ted's toothy overbite and joked about swapping their teeth. Picking up Ted, Bob compared their teeth, saying: 'Have you noticed how Ted's teeth, he's got the bottom teeth I should have and I've got the top teeth that he should have.' Paul asked: 'To transplant Ted's lower jaw onto your face?' Bob laughed and replied: 'Yap-a-doodle-doo.'
Going for a Swim
In another episode, Ted waded into a calm river, disturbing the water as Bob and Paul set up their rods. Paul joked: 'He's such a selfish dog, is Ted, isn't he?' Bob agreed: 'Yes, it's all "me, me me" with Ted, isn't it?'
Ruining Picnics
Ted frequently stole food from Bob and Paul's picnics, including cheese and Jammie Dodgers. In one scene, he lunged for wrapped cheese, prompting Bob to shout: 'No! Ted's getting the cheese!' Another time, he took Paul's Jammie Dodger from a bag. Paul lamented: 'My Jammie Dodger? I don't know who to blame. You, or Ted.' Bob replied: 'Well there's eight in a pack, seven were for me, that was yours.'
Racing Bob
In series five, Paul challenged Ted and Bob to a 30-yard dash. Bob said: 'If dog years works, then he's 70 and I'm 63, I should be able to beat him in a race.' However, Ted sped ahead while Bob struggled to keep up and eventually fell to the ground. Ted continued running without looking back.
First Date
In series six, Bob and Paul set Ted up on a date with another terrier by the river. Bob encouraged: 'Remember what we told you, Ted. Don't just go on about briefcases all the time, and mind your language!' The other dog ran straight past Ted towards Bob and Paul, leading Paul to joke: 'It's just water under the bridge, we didn't have nothing in common.'
A Lasting Legacy
Ted's popularity extended beyond the show, with two best-selling books and a social media following of over 200,000. A third book is expected in 2026. Fans have flooded social media with tributes, calling him an 'icon' of the show. Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, which launched in 2018, follows the comedians on fishing trips across the UK, blending humour with heartfelt conversations about life and health. The show continues to be a beloved staple of BBC programming.
