30 December 2023 , 09:50
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Bob Mortimer has admitted the past twelve months have been ‘very unhealthy’ as he opened up to fellow comedian Paul Whitehouse on their TV show.
The 64-year-old comedy icon has had rheumatoid arthritis since childhood and also underwent triple bypass surgery in 2015. This year, he was struck with shingles - a skin infection that causes a painful rash and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus which is the same virus that causes chickenpox.
Bob said his health issues has caused the muscles in his body to wither and now he can no longer go for a run. He estimates that as much as eighty per cent of the muscles in his legs have been lost due to his illness.
The TV star got candid during a conversation with 65-year-old fellow comedian Paul Whitehouse during an episode of their show Gone Fishing. Sitting on the banks, Bob explained: “It’s been a very, very, very unhealthy year for me Paul with my shingles... And you know what - it was worse than my heart period.”
Bob Mortimer has opened up about his latest health battle (BBC)Addressing the changes to his body and muscle mass, Bob continued: “The muscles I’ve lost, I’ve lost… But other ones can compensate for it, you know what I mean? I can make the other muscles stronger but I have a terrible feeling I’m never going to be able to run again and you know that I used to like to run Paul.”
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Offering a sympathetic ear, Paul consoled his co-star, saying: “I’m really sorry about that mate.”
Earlier this year, Bob had to drop out of co-hosting Gone Fishing after he was incapacitated by shingles - with Lee Mack stepping in. Lee’s time on the show proved to be controversial, however, as Lee said on camera: "I don’t fish. And when I say 'I don’t fish', I don’t mean, 'I can’t fish – teach me, grasshopper.' I mean, I won’t fish; I’m a vegan."
Bob opened up to his pal Paul Whitehouse on their show Gone Fishing (BBC)But this explanation did not sit well with viewers - who questioned why Lee would accept the offer to work on the show in the first place. One unimpressed fan wrote on X/Twitter after Lee made his debut: “Does Lee Mack just say yes to everything? Why go on a fishing programme if you’re vegan and don’t fish?"
Last month, Bob said that his health issues were beginning to "dominate" his life. In a candid chat on Sunday Brunch, the TV icon said: "When you get to my age, it's your joints that go. That's what dominates your life".
He also explained that he was no longer able to complete chores and hobbies that he has always loved. He said: "I used to love preparing an exterior of a property ready to paint, but I can't do that anymore". He suggested on the show that doing so would cause issues with his shoulders. He gestured that he can't move his arms and shoulders like he could when he was younger.