Gone Fishing dog Ted dead: Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse pay tribute to beloved TV terrier who quickly became a fan favourite

Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse are mourning the loss of Ted, their much-loved dog and co-star, who passed away this week after six years of appearing with them on screen.

Ted, a Patterdale Terrier mix, became well-known thanks to the BBC show Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. The show followed comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse, both in their late 60s, as they traveled around the UK fishing and sharing stories from their lives.

The popular dog first appeared on BBC Two in 2020 and quickly became a fan favorite. He solidified his status during the 2025 Christmas special, earning a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work.

In 2013, Lisa Clark, the Executive Producer of the show, rescued Ted from a dog shelter in Surrey when he was just six months old, and he’s been with her ever since.

After he died, Bob and Paul shared heartfelt tributes to their beloved dog, who was a part of the Gone Fishing team, and said they would miss him terribly.

Bob was deeply saddened by the loss of his beloved Ted, describing him as a wonderful companion and a great friend. He’s going to miss him terribly, and also mentioned missing his ‘boss’ as well.

Paul said goodbye to Ted, calling him a one-of-a-kind friend. He joked that Ted had gone to a heavenly store for briefcases and expressed how much they would miss him.

Lisa shared that Ted was a beloved member of the family and a cherished friend to Paul and Bob during their time on Gone Fishing.

He handled his sudden fame with ease and preferred simple pleasures, like playing by the river. He especially enjoyed playfully taking Jammy Dodgers from Bob and bait from Paul.

I’m absolutely heartbroken. It’s hard to imagine life without him, both as a person and as the incredible talent we all loved watching. He truly left a mark on everyone who knew him, and he’ll never be forgotten. My heart also goes out to his beloved dog, Bo the Briard – I know how much Bo meant to him.

Ted, the author of the popular books A Pawtobiography and Pup Fiction, will be appearing in a final episode of the TV show Gone Fishing. The ninth series of the show is scheduled to air later this year.

Ted, a popular social media personality with over 200,000 followers, is planning to release his third book sometime in 2026.

After the news of Ted’s death spread, fans immediately began sharing tributes to the beloved dog. One Instagram user wrote, ‘This is heartbreaking news. Sweet Ted, rest peacefully – you were loved by so many and always will be.’

Someone else shared their sadness, saying he was a beloved part of the show and that his connection with Paul and Bob was heartwarming. They added that they’ll miss seeing him on TV.

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing began in 2018 and documents comedians Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse as they go on fishing adventures across the UK.

The podcast features personal chats about everyday life – things like health, family, and friends – and has also hosted a number of well-known guests, including comedian Lee Mack and TV personality Ben Fogle.

In 2024, television personality Bob shared that he couldn’t walk for half of the seventh season of his show, ‘Gone Fishing,’ because he had shingles.

He almost couldn’t film the project because a six-month struggle with shingles left his muscles weakened, and he sometimes needed a wheelchair to get around the set.

Shingles is a painful rash caused by the chickenpox virus. While anyone can develop it, it’s most frequently seen in older adults.

I was quite ill, which made the season difficult, but Paul was fantastic and really helped me through it. For half the season, I couldn’t even walk, so it was a real challenge. People don’t see this, but they also don’t often see me when I am able to walk – like when I was being helped up the bank in Trent from a wheelchair. That’s something that happens behind the scenes, and it’s not something the public usually witnesses,” he explained to The Mirror.

I’ve been working to regain some strength and muscle. I’m about 80% there now, and felt pretty good by the end of filming. Honestly, the first two episodes of this season are the best ‘Gone Fishing’ episodes we’ve ever made – I think they’re fantastic.

Paul and I are really finding our groove with the show, and I don’t want to sound arrogant saying that. We’ve figured out what works and what the audience enjoys, and I’m truly passionate about this series.

As with past events, Bob is handling all the food and lodging. He mentioned he’s particularly looking forward to enjoying hotdogs from a flask by the water in Norfolk during the first episode.

The BBC2 show began in 2018 after Paul convinced Bob to go to the riverbank, following Bob’s recovery from a triple heart bypass.

In 2015, Bob had triple bypass surgery after doctors discovered his arteries were 95% blocked. During the procedure, his heart had to be stopped for 32 minutes.

In June, it was announced BBC Factual had commissioned an eighth series of the series.

Paul expressed his excitement about returning to ‘Gone Fishing’ with a new companion. Bob added that they’re both eager to revisit places from their past, essentially taking a nostalgic trip as they fish in locations that hold special meaning for them.

Patrick McMahon, a commissioning editor at the BBC, expressed his excitement about Paul and Bob returning for another season filled with fishing, camaraderie, and thoughtful conversations by the river.

It’s always a joy to follow these characters and spend time with them, and this new series feels like their most intimate and enjoyable journey yet.

Executive Producer Lisa Clark said she’s thrilled to keep highlighting the beauty of the country alongside Paul, Bob, and Ted.

As a lifestyle expert, I always say a great day outdoors means something for everyone! It’s wonderful to see people – and their furry friends – truly enjoying themselves. Whether it’s a playful romp in the mud – perfect for a good roll around – or a bit of clumsy fun, there’s joy in simple pleasures. And for those who prefer a quieter pace, focusing on a hobby like fishing is a fantastic way to unwind and connect with nature.

Last December, Bob shared that he was deeply afraid he’d never race again, following what he described as the most difficult year for his health.

The comedian, who has rheumatoid arthritis, recently had shingles and learned from doctors that it caused a 20% loss of muscle function.

He admitted it was the unhealthiest year of his life, even worse than the time he had heart problems, as he shared on the show before.

The consultant estimates my leg is about 80% recovered, but she explained that I’ll need to determine how that translates to my ability to function and what I can do.

‘The muscles I’ve lost, I’ve lost… But other ones can compensate for it, you know what I mean?

I’m working on strengthening my other muscles, but I really doubt I’ll ever be able to run again, and you know how much I used to enjoy it, Paul.

Bob has always been honest about his health, openly discussing his heart bypass surgery and ongoing battle with arthritis.

In December 2020, Bob shared his concern that the coronavirus pandemic might reduce his lifespan by two years.

He admitted to abandoning his healthy habits during lockdown, saying he hadn’t exercised, overeaten, and drank a lot of alcohol. He joked that it likely shortened his life expectancy by two years.

The comedian previously spoke about his struggles with rheumatoid arthritis.

Bob explained that he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in his mid-twenties. He described the onset as sudden, saying it felt like it hit him all at once.

I haven’t experienced this issue for many years – since I was 34, in fact – but it reappeared about ten days ago. I’m worried about whether it will persist. While I may be overweight, it’s actually due to steroid use.

I felt like I checked out around the age of sixty and lost the desire to try new things. It took reaching that age to realize all the possibilities I’d missed.

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

2026-04-30 14:37

Read More