Bob Mortimer: Health, Career and Relationships

Bob Mortimer has spent decades making Britain laugh, but his own life has taken some surprisingly serious turns. After a heart attack in 2015 that required a quadruple bypass, he’s faced more health hurdles and kept working. This article looks at what’s happened to his health, how his partnerships with Vic Reeves and Paul Whitehouse stack up, and where his career stands today.

Profession: Comedian, presenter, writer, actor · Known for: Reeves and Mortimer · Heart surgery: Quadruple bypass in 2015 after heart attack

Seven facts, one pattern: a career that has outlasted major health events.

Why is Bob Mortimer in a wheelchair?

Heart surgery and recovery

The most significant health event in Mortimer’s life came in 2015 when he suffered a heart attack and underwent quadruple bypass surgery (The Independent (tier2)). In 2024, he described a period of illness that he said was worse than that operation (The Independent (tier2)).

Arthritis and mobility issues

Reports have suggested Mortimer uses a wheelchair due to knee arthritis, but specific medical details remain unconfirmed by official sources. In 2024, he dealt with a six-month shingles infection that left him with weaker muscles (Yahoo News Canada (tier3)).

Public appearances since 2022

Despite mobility challenges, Mortimer has continued recording podcasts and making television appearances. A 2025 clip shows him still active in comedy projects (YouTube (tier3)).

Have Vic and Bob fell out?

On-stage dynamic changes

Mortimer and Vic Reeves remain officially a double act (Bexley Libraries (tier1)). Their television partnership has produced long-running shows like Shooting Stars and House of Fools.

Vic Reeves’ comments about not speaking

Public remarks from Reeves suggesting they rarely talk outside work have circulated, but no reliable news source has confirmed a rift. The duo continues to appear together on occasion.

Reunion projects and tours

No formal split has been announced. Mortimer’s focus has shifted toward solo writing and his partnership with Paul Whitehouse, but the Reeves and Mortimer brand remains active in reruns and occasional live shows.

Are Bob and Paul really friends?

Collaboration on ‘Gone Fishing’

Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse host the BBC series Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing ( &MEETINGS (tier2)). The show blends fishing with candid conversations about health and friendship.

Audiobook recording together

In 2025, Mortimer’s audiobook of his third novel, The Long …, was recorded with Whitehouse (This Morning (Facebook) (tier3)). Their on-screen chemistry has been widely noted.

Paul Whitehouse’s health

Whitehouse has also faced heart issues, including a “dodgy heart” condition discussed in his podcast Bedside Manners. The two men often bond over their medical histories.

Is Bob Mortimer a millionaire?

Exact net worth figures are not publicly disclosed. Estimates from aggregated sources suggest a range of £4–6 million, but no official financial records confirm this. Mortimer’s income comes from decades of TV, tours, book deals, and appearances. He has not commented publicly on his wealth.

What is Bob Mortimer famous for?

Reeves and Mortimer double act

Born in Middlesbrough in 1959, Mortimer trained as a solicitor before meeting Vic Reeves (Bexley Libraries (tier1)). Their surreal comedy, launched with The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, became a defining voice of 1990s alternative comedy.

Solo TV shows and writing

Mortimer starred in House of Fools and appeared on Taskmaster. He has published several novels, the most recent being The Long … in 2025 (This Morning (Facebook) (tier3)).

Podcast appearances

His appearances on podcasts like WILTY? and Gone Fishing spin-offs have become viral moments, showcasing his natural storytelling.

• Met Vic Reeves in the 1980s (Bexley Libraries (tier1))
• Heart attack 2015 – quadruple bypass (The Independent (tier2))
• 2024 illness described as “very unhealthy year” (The Independent (tier2))
• Shingles bout left weaker muscles (Yahoo News Canada (tier3))
• Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing partnership ( &MEETINGS (tier2))
• Double act with Vic Reeves (Bexley Libraries (tier1))
• 2025 clip showing active comedy (YouTube (tier3))
• Third novel audiobook with Whitehouse (This Morning (Facebook) (tier3))
• No longer fears death claim (FemaleFirst (tier3))

For Bob Mortimer, the next challenge is balancing health management with a career that still demands live performances and creative output. The decision to keep working through setbacks has defined his legacy — but the uncertainty around his long-term mobility and partnership with Vic Reeves leaves his future as open as his recent novels.

Related reading: **Keith Richards: Health, Net Worth, and Rolling Stones Legacy**

For a more comprehensive look at his life and work, you can read a detailed biography of Bob Mortimer that covers his books, TV shows, and net worth.

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