An emotional journey through memory, illness, friendship — and the quiet courage of two men learning to age in public.

Bob Mortimer has always brought laughter to Britain — the kind of warm, familiar laughter that feels like home. But behind the gentle humour of his return to the BBC’s Gone Fishing lies a battle far more fragile, far more vulnerable, and far more deeply human than viewers have ever seen.

This time, the jokes land softer.
The silences linger longer.
And every sunrise on a riverbank carries the weight of a man fighting to reclaim his strength — and his sense of self.

 “I’m still suffering…” — The Illness That Changed Him

At 66, Bob Mortimer admits the truth many never imagined: his body is struggling in ways he can no longer hide.

Shingles didn’t just knock him down — it stripped him of the muscle in his legs, leaving him weak, exhausted, and desperately working to rebuild what was lost.

“I lost a lot of muscle… an awful lot of muscle in my legs. I’m just trying to get some strength back.”

He says it lightly, almost with a shrug — but fans can feel the gravity beneath his words. This is a man who once moved with easy mischief… now learning how to steady himself again.

 The Gentle Ache of Growing Older

In the new series, Bob and Paul Whitehouse confront something they’ve avoided for years: age.

Not as a punchline.
Not as a half-joke tossed into a river.
But as a reality neither man can outrun.

“We’re forgetting things. We’re not as fast. We’ve aged… as has Ted,” Bob confessed with a bittersweet smile.

They laugh — but there’s a sadness behind the humour, a recognition that their bodies are whispering warnings they can’t ignore.

Gone Fishing has always been a meditation on life.
Now, it’s also a meditation on time.

 A New Season Shaped by Memory

For the first time, Bob and Paul chose their destinations not for the perfect catch — but for the perfect memory.

A childhood town.
A caravan from their youth.
A river that once felt like freedom.

One journey took Bob back to Manchester, where he reunited with his old friend Paddy — a man he hadn’t seen for more than 25 years.

“It was a nostalgia trip… one of my oldest friends. It meant a lot to me.”

The fishing wasn’t always successful.
The weather wasn’t always kind.
But the moments — the moments — were irreplaceable.

They even caught some “Clonkers,” including a breathtaking carp in Wales.

 The Meals, The Haircuts, The Quiet Magic of Friendship

As always, Bob cooked for Paul — a tradition as tender as their banter. And while Paul politely praises every dish, Bob knows when the compliments are real.

Fish and chips in Manchester — a simple takeaway — became Paul’s favourite meal.

Venison cooked on stones in Findhorn, Scotland — earthy, smoky, unforgettable — was another high point.

And in a moment fans will adore, Bob discovered a new talent:

“I thoroughly enjoyed cutting Paul’s hair this series. Turns out I’m maybe a better hairdresser than fisherman.”

It’s funny. Sweet. And beautifully symbolic.
Even in pain, even in weakness, Bob is still giving — still caring — still finding joy.

 Why This Season Feels Different — And Why Viewers Will Feel It Too

Gone Fishing was always lighthearted.
But now it feels sacred.

Two men — once chaotic, loud, untamed — now walk slower, talk deeper, reflect more honestly. Their humour remains, but so does the ache.

The rivers haven’t changed.
The rods haven’t changed.
But Bob has.

He’s not just fishing.
He’s healing.
He’s remembering.
He’s holding onto the pieces of life that still feel steady.

And with each sunrise, each cast, each quiet confession… he reminds viewers that aging isn’t the end of joy — it’s simply another chapter.

A softer one.
A wiser one.
A more precious one.