Hooked On Christmas

Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse get festive in a seasonal edition of Gone Fishing

- Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse

NEW FACTUAL

Mortimer & Whitehouse:

Gone Christmas Fishing

Sunday, BBC2 HD, 8.10pm

Christmas comes early this year for fans of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing as there’s an hour-long festive edition of the angling show this week.

The one-off special sees pals Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse return to Mortimer’s childhood roots in Middlesbrough, where, as well as indulging in chat, they fish for grayling in the Esk and Tees rivers, hook up with another local, singer Chris Rea, cook a turkey dinner and host an office party for two.

We caught up with Mortimer, 61, and Whitehouse, 62, to find out more…

Bob, did this trip to Middlesbrough, where you grew up, bring back lots of memories?

Mortimer Yes, very happy and very sad ones. I was happiest as a Christmas person when I was young.

Whitehouse A Christmas person? Is there such a thing?

Mortimer To evoke those memories, we went to my old childhood house back in Middlesbrough. It was bittersweet, but it was nice to be there with Paul.

Which of you is most excited about Christmas?