Bob Mortimer's declining health issues as he makes heartbreaking admission

05 January 2024 , 19:50

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Comedian Bob Mortimer has battled health issues for most of his life after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis as a child (Image: Getty Images)

Comedy star Bob Mortimer has shared how his health recently took a rapid decline and 2023 became the 'worst year ever' for his physical condition.

The 64-year-old television star is best known for his work with fellow comedian Vic Reeves, as part of their Vic and Bob double act, and his Gone Fishing series with actor Paul Whitehouse. The two pals, who both suffer from heart conditions, chat candidly while fishing at various locations across the UK.

In their most recent episode, Bob admitted the past 12 months have been 'very unhealthy' for him after being struck down with shingles - a skin infection caused by the same virus as chickenpox. Bob has had rheumatoid arthritis since childhood and also underwent triple bypass surgery in 2015.

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Bob opened up to his pal Paul Whitehouse on their show Gone Fishing about his 'worst health year ever' (BBC)

On the BBC Two show, Bob explained that his health issues have caused the muscles in his body to wither and now he can no longer exercise like he once could. He estimates that as much as 80 percent of the muscles in his legs have been lost due to his illness, and fears he may never run again.

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." Nine years ago, Bob had triple bypass surgery, when his heart stopped for 32 minutes. He discovered that 95 percent of his arteries were blocked.

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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."

In September 2023, Bob had to drop out of co-hosting Gone Fishing after he was incapacitated by shingles - with Lee Mack stepping in. Speaking to The Sun, a source said: "While it was nothing serious, producers thought it might be fun to bring in one of the lads' friends to give Paul company."

In November, Bob said that his health issues were beginning to take over 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 had 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 couldn't move his arms and shoulders like he could when he was younger.

In 2022, Bob explained that he was at a high risk of more than 20 cancers due to his weight gain and declared he was on a 'mission' to decrease his 102cm waist size for health reasons. He told the Mirror: "We looked into it because we wondered a little bit, but it was true 22 cancers come onto the table if, as a fella, your waist is over 102cm, and it's less if you're Asian, 96 If you're Asian."