Bob Mortimer delights with hilarious tale of Vic and Liam Gallagher 'wrestling'

03 September 2023 , 17:03

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Bob Mortimer delights with hilarious tale of Vic and Liam Gallagher 'wrestling'

Bob Mortimer, 64, was a hit with Sunday Brunch viewers earlier today thanks to the much-loved comedian sharing some hilarious showbiz annecotes.

The star appeared on the Channel 4 show ahead of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing returning to BBC Two this evening, with the bestselling author revealing his comedy partner and pal Vic Reeves once caused Liam Gallagher to storm off after having an arm wrestle to determine which man was "more working class".

Liam and Vic's battle occured at the Brit Awards back in 1996, as a drunk Bob tried to save Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker from a court case with Michael Jackson. During Michael's performance at the British ceremony, the late pop star presented himself as some sort of Christ-like figure surrounded by a slew of disciples as he sang Earth Song.

Common People hitmaker Jarvis took issue with Michael's artistic direction, later saying he was "feeling a bit ill as [Michael] was doing his Jesus act' and decided to join the Thriller singer on stage during his performance - pulling down his pants and mooning the American musician.

Jarvis Cocker's antics at the Brit Awards in 1996 went down in pop culture history (VideoGrab)

Jarvis' act of defiance didn't go down to well with Michael or the late star's team, with Jarvis sent packing from the main arena and later arrested in his dressing room. Luckily for the Pulp singer, comedian Bob was also at the Brit Awards that year and stepped in to help the rocker with his legal issues.

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Thanks to working for Peckham Council in the legal department before conquering the comedy world, Bob felt he was experienced enough to help Jarvis out of the situation he found himself in - offering to speak in defence of Jarvis and help him out with any legal aspects of any possible case.

"I think Liam Gallagher was with us," Bob recalled of the bizarre encounter when speaking on Sunday Brunch today. "He arm wrestled Vic [Reeves] to prove which one of them was most working class and Vic won immediately," Bob continued, adding how Vic "is a strong lad and Liam just got upset and said 'come on Patsy [Kensit], we're going'." Bob went on to imitate the Oasis rocker's infamous swaggering walk and declare: "It was a good night."

Channel 4 viewers loved seeing Bob appear on Sunday Brunch today (Channel 4)

Luckily for Jarvis, Bob knew enough to point out the legality of "upsetting Michael Jackson" was not yet stated in statutory law and the This Is Hardcore singer didn't face any criminal charges. Speaking after the awards in 1996, Jarvis declared: "My actions were a form of protest at the way Michael Jackson sees himself as some kind of Christ-like figure with the power of healing. The music industry allows him to indulge his fantasies because of his wealth and power."

"Bob Mortimer stories are the best 'So Liam arm wrestled Vic, while Jarvis was being arrested for mooning Jacko' #c4sundaybrunch #sundaybrunch," one happy viewer penned on Twitter (aka X) this afternoon as Bob's Sunday Brunch interview aired, with another adding: "Just listening to Bob Mortimer talk soothes my mind and soul."

"Bob Mortimer always tells the best and funniest stories ever #SundayBrunch," yet another delighted viewer told their Twitter followers. "I will start with the positive- like most people I absolutely adore Bob Mortimer, just a genuinely lovely person," one Twitter user penned before going on to take aim at another Sunday Brunch guest.

Zoe Delaney