The reel thing!

Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse on why their fishing show is a surprise hit

- IAN MACEWAN

MORTIMER & WHITEHOUSE: GONE FISHING Sunday, 8 pm BBC2 Factual

You might not expect viewers to get hooked on a TV series in which two men in their 60s go fishing. But Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, in which old pals Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse do exactly that, has proved a surprise hit and is back this week for a third series.

The idea came from fishing trips the pair went on while they were both recovering from heart problems, and Paul reckons that authenticity is part of its appeal.