Taskmaster star Bob Mortimer has shared a health update, saying that he is “on the mend” after a bout of shingles.
The comedian, who triumphed in the fifth series of the Channel 4 show in 2017, spoke to The Mirror to preview the seventh series of Gone Fishing, which he presents alongside Paul Whitehouse.
In the interview, Mortimer revealed that he had been suffering with weaker muscles following a six-month bout with shingles, leaving him unable to walk in half of the eight episodes.
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“I wasn’t very well, and it made it a bit of a struggle, but as always, Paul looked after me and pulled me through,” he recalled. “For half of the season, I couldn’t walk, so it was very challenging at times.
“When we were in Trent, I was being taken from a wheelchair to the top of the bank. You never see that, but you never see me on my feet either. I just tried to get some muscle back, or get some to grow a bit stronger. I’m 80% back and, by the end of the series, I was reasonably sprightly.”
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Mortimer, who has also appeared on Would I Lie to You?, continued by teasing elements of the new series of Gone Fishing, stating: “The first two episodes are the greatest of Gone Fishing that have ever been made. I think they’re magnificent.
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“Paul and I are just getting better and better at it, which sounds boastful. I think we know what the show is now and what people like. It’s a lovely and nostalgic thing – two old men having hotdogs by the lake. They were absolutely delicious. It was a genius idea.”
Whilst Mortimer’s stint on Taskmaster was seven years ago, the show has gone on strong ever since, with the 18th series – which stars Andy Zaltzman, Babatunde Aléshé, Emma Sidi, Jack Dee and Rosie Jones – currently airing now.
Taskmaster airs on Thursdays at 9pm on Channel 4. A Junior Taskmaster spinoff has been confirmed. Gone Fishing airs on Sundays at 9pm on BBC Two.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
