Key Highlights
- Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing returns for its eighth series on the River Itchen in Hampshire.
- The show began back in 2018 following Mortimer’s heart bypass surgery.
- The episode focuses on Paul taking Bob to his favorite river, the beautiful chalk stream of the River Itchen in Hampshire.
- Paul Whitehouse shares that fishing gives a different perspective and allows you to be immersed in the environment around you.
Entertainment’s Newest Series: Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Returns
The beloved comedy duo of Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse are back with their eighth series, Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, premiering on BBC Two at 9pm on Sunday, October 26. This latest installment sees the pair returning to the River Itchen in Hampshire, a location that holds significant personal connections for both.
Whitehouse’s interest in fishing began as a way to support his friend Bob Mortimer following the latter’s triple heart bypass surgery back in 2018. The idea quickly evolved into what would become one of the most popular and longest-running shows on BBC Two, known for its blend of humor and personal reflection.
A Journey Through Personal Connections
The new series will explore people, places, and rivers that hold special significance to Mortimer and Whitehouse. This includes a visit with actor and fellow angler James Murray in Hampshire, who is campaigning to save the declining salmon population in the River Itchen and its neighboring River Test.
Whitehouse explains the personal impact of fishing: “There’s a part where the light is dancing on the trees when we fish in the Itchen and not many people see that, because you’re not down that low in the water and looking up at the tree, so you probably would never see the light playing off the underside of those branches. So not many people see it and I think that’s why they enjoy it.”
Paul’s love for fishing extends beyond just the River Itchen; he has a strong connection to the River Test as well.
This river holds a special place in Whitehouse’s heart, being the first location where Mortimer accompanied him on his fishing trips after his father’s passing. Fishing is not only a recreational activity but also a means for reflection and appreciation of nature.
Fishing as a Perspective
Whitehouse emphasizes that fishing provides a unique way to experience the natural world: “Fishing gives you a different perspective. If you’re out walking, you pass through the countryside. When you’re fishing, you’re part of it. You’re immersed in the environment around you with all your senses, picking up signals.”
As viewers tune into this new series, they can expect to witness not only Mortimer and Whitehouse’s humorous banter but also a deeper appreciation for the beauty and significance of their surroundings.
A Legacy Continues
Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing airs at 9pm on BBC Two on Sunday, October 26. All episodes will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer. This series continues a legacy that has entertained audiences for over seven years, offering both laughter and insight into the lives of two British comedy legends.
