Paul Whitehouse insists his and Bob Mortimer's BBC fishing series was a 'success' because it was based on 'real life' - after they both underwent life-changing heart surgery
Comedy legend Paul Whitehouse has insisted his and Bob Mortimer 's BBC series Gone Fishing was a 'success' because it was based purely on 'real life' situations.
The series saw the double act embark on many fishing trips together around the UK as they opened up about their respective life-changing heart surgeries.
Last One Laughing star Bob, 65, underwent bypass surgery in 2015 when his heart was stopped for 32 minutes after discovering that 95 per cent of his arteries were blocked.
Meanwhile, Paul, 67, had part of his colon removed nearly two decades ago and also had three stents put in his heart after an operation.
Speaking on Dr Oscar Duke's new health podcast Beside Manners, Paul spoke of the pair's friendship and hardship they've suffered over the years.
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Paul said he first discovered the idea of turning their surgeries into entertainment when he and Bob went on a fishing trip and 'had a daft laugh' together.
He said: 'We started going out a few more times and it was one day in particular, I think it was a really beautiful day in May, and the river was idyllic and the flies were hatching, and the reed warblers were warbling.
'We just made each other laugh. Had a daft laugh as Bob would say, and I thought, oh this might be a good idea for a program.
'Anyway, it worked with the BBC and they let us do a little trial and they seemed to go for it and the reason it's been successful is exactly as I outlined there because it came 100% out of real life.'
Last summer, Bob was left unable to walk for half of the newest series of his show Gone Fishing after he contracted shingles.
Bob suffered wasted muscles after a six-month bout of the virus and had to be taken by wheelchair to several of the locations.
Describing the toll Bob's surgery had on him, Paul said: 'I don't want to speak for Bob, but obviously it was difficult.
'The family were very supportive but he found that road to recovery very slow physically and I think mentally as well.'
Speaking on Dr Oscar Duke's new health podcast Beside Manners, Paul spoke of the pair's friendship and hardship they've suffered over the years
During an appearance on Kathy Burke 's Where There's A Will, There's A Wake podcast, Bob explained that he no longer feared death.
The TV personality explained: 'I don't feel scared about death, I just feel so frustrated and sad to think I won't see how stories end.'
Bob added: 'My children's story. My wife's. The football. All the stories going on in the world that you're going to miss the end of.'
Speaking about his experience, he said: 'I did see the light at the end of the tunnel. I experienced going towards the light and feeling happier than I have ever felt, ever.
'It was quite extraordinary, and then I woke up a day later and I was OK. I thought, "This is great. I no longer fear death and everything."'
Bob secretly married his wife Lisa Matthews just half an hour before undergoing heart surgery.
The comic arranged to wed his long-term partner on the day of his operation after being warned he was 'incredibly ill'.
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