Go Fishing star Bob Mortimer has revealed he "couldn't walk" during half the episodes of the latest series due to a recent health battle he faced.

Mortimer, who has featured in the BBC Two show alongside fellow comedian Paul Whitehouse since 2018 explained how his co-star "looked after him" and "pulled him through" the sixth series which began last weekend.

Although the 65-year-old claims the new Go Fishing series is "by far the best we’ve done", Mortimer shares he "couldn't walk" for four episodes after being left with wasted muscles due to a six-month bout of ­shingles.

Mortimer had to be taken by ­wheelchair to several of the locations, reports The Mirror as he explained: "I wasn’t very well and it made it a bit of a struggle but, as always, Paul looked after me and pulled me through.

"For half of the season, I couldn’t walk so it was very challenging at times. When we were in Trent, I was being taken from a wheelchair to the top of the bank. You never see that but you never see me on my feet either.”

But giving an update to fans on his health, Mortimer added: "I just tried to get some muscle back, or get some to grow a bit stronger. I’m 80% back and, by the end of the series, I was reasonably sprightly.

"The first two episodes are the greatest of Gone Fishing that have ever been made. I think they’re magnificent.

“Paul and I are just getting better and better at it, which sounds boastful. I think we know what the show is now and what people like."



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Recalling the best meal he had this time round, Mortimer said it was hot dogs in a flask eaten waterside in Norfolk during episode one.

He continued: "It’s a lovely and nostalgic thing – two old men having hot dogs by the lake. They were absolutely delicious. It was a genius idea."

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing continues on BBC Two, Sunday, September 29 at 9pm.