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.

Natural angle