‘It's A Good, Old-Fashioned Works Do!'

Ever-festive Bob Mortimer and Christmas ‘grump’ Paul Whitehouse on their seasonal office party

- Ian MacEwan

MORTIMER & WHITEHOUSE: GONE CHRISTMAS FISHING NEW SUNDAY / BBC2 / 8.10PM / FACTUAL

Christmas comes early this year for fans of Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse’s BBC2 hit Gone Fishing as there’s a hour-long festive edition of the angling show this week.

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

Here, in an exclusive interview, Bob, 61, and Paul, 62, chat to TV Times about Christmas traditions, festive fare and perfect presents…

Did this trip to Middlesbrough bring back lots of memories for you, Bob?

BOB: Yes, very happy and very sad ones. I was happiest as a Christmas person when I was young – I’m sure we all were.

PAUL: A Christmas person?! Is there such a thing?

BOB: To evoke those memories, we went to visit my old childhood house back in Middlesbrough. It was a bittersweet experience, but it was nice to be there and share those memories with Paul.

Which of you is most excited about Christmas?

BOB: That’s actually the conceit of the show. Paul is the grump, and I take him to Middlesbrough to show him the ways of Christmas. I gave him the biggest surprise of his life at the end – one that would have to convince you that humanity is a good thing and that time spent with friends and family is time well spent!