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Bob Mortimer has shared an update on his health, revealing he “wasn’t very well” while filming the new series of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.

The 65-year-old comedian, who had major heart surgery in 2015, was forced to use a wheelchair while shooting the seventh series of the BBC series amid a health crisis that left him unable to walk.

Mortimer first opened up about his ongoing medical issues in September 2022, revealing that he had shingles, a skin infection that causes a painful rash and is caused by the varicella-zoster virus – the same virus that causes chickenpox.

The TV star hospitalised and had to be replaced for an episode of the lifestyle series, with Mortimer choosing his friend Lee Mack to join his co-star Paul Whitehouse – a decision that divided viewers who complained about the lack of chemistry between the pair.

However, the shingles, which Mortimer contracted in his muscles, lasted for six months, led to a “very challenging” filming experience.

“I wasn’t very well and it made it a bit of a struggle but, as always, Paul looked after me and pulled me through,” Mortimer said while discussing the new series, which continues on Sunday (29 September).

He told The Mirror: “For half of the season, I couldn’t walk so it was very challenging at times. When we were in Trent, I was being taken from a wheelchair to the top of the bank. You never see that but you never see me on my feet either.

“I just tried to get some muscle back, or get some to grow a bit stronger.”

However, in news that will reassure fans, Mortimer said: “I’m 80 per cent back and, by the end of the series, I was reasonably sprightly.”

Mortimer said the new series begins with “the greatest Gone Fishing episodes that have ever been made”.

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Reflecting on why this is, Mortimer said: “Paul and I are just getting better and better at it, which sounds boastful. I think we know what the show is now and what people like. I love this series.”

In 2015, the TV star had a triple heart bypass operation after he was diagnosed with coronary heart disease.

Gone Fishing was born when Whitehouse, who Mortimer had known for 30 years, invited his longtime friend fishing to get him out of the house after the surgery.

VERNON Kay has issued a fresh health update after being forced off air due to ill health.

The star was ordered to miss an edition of his BBC Radio 2 programme by doctors after fans were left overly concerned for his well-being.

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During his mid-morning show on Monday, Vernon was left struggling to speak as he suffered from an obvious croak.

Branding his illness “horrific”, Vernon was able to return to the airwaves today after observing a 24-hour voice rest on the orders of doctors.

Opening his show today, Vernon addressed the illness as he said: “We’re back. We’re not 100%.

“But if I took another day off with a sore throat, the big fella, Norman my dad, would have killed me.”

Listeners were encouraged to send in voice notes on Monday’s show, which helped Vernon to fill a series of gaps live on air as he struggled to speak.

Addressing the gesture, he said: “It’s surprising when you’ve lost your voice how much energy it takes to speak.

“Thank you for your help, we managed to get through it with your voice notes.

“Big thanks to Gabby for taking over yesterday.

“She’s such a lovely person.”

Listeners across the country were left expressing their concern for Vernon’s welfare as they blasted the BBC for allowing him to come to work and go live on air in his “awful” condition.

One disgruntled listener said: “It’s actually a bit unprofessional in my opinion. I don’t know what @BBCRadio2 are thinking of.

“It’s 1 thing him going in, but Vernon wasn’t sent home sounding like that when he’s on for 2.5 hours?”

Someone else shared: “It’s awful to hear Vernon‘s not well. Couldn’t he stay at home and wait till his voice gets better?

“I love the man but couldn’t Radio 2 have got a last minute DJ replacement? Me! Or you! Don’t mind but I hate hearing a bad cold type voice on the radio.”

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A third then wrote: “WOW! Vernon Kay sounds awful this morning.”

As a fourth commented: “His voice is almost gone. Get better soon Vern.”

As Gaby set in for Vernon yesterday, she said: “Gaby in for Vernon Kay. It’s a joy to be here.

“Vernon, I hope your throat is feeling better.

“I was listening yesterday, I love the show but did worry about your throat.

“So take it easy, no talking today.”

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Members of the original Made in Chelsea cast will return for a new spin off series.

The BAFTA-winning Channel 4 reality show has followed the lives of the upper-class King’s Road set since 2011 and has made household names of cast members including Jamie Laing, Spencer Matthews, Ollie Locke and Louise Thompson.

Fan favourites Binky Felstead, Rosie Fortescue, and Lucy Watson will once again share their lives on screen for the new show, Beyond Chelsea.

Now in their thirties, the three reality stars will be followed by cameras as they navigate career challenges, marriage and motherhood.

Felstead, who has welcomed three children with her consultant husband Max Darnton, revealed a “lot has changed” in her life since she first joined Made in Chelsea 14 years ago.

Fortescue, who left Made in Chelsea in 2014, said: “I never thought I’d be back on camera, but I couldn’t turn down the opportunity to film with my best friend, set some records straight and open up my life a little more than I did in the past.”

Meanwhile Watson, who shares a son with her Made in Chelsea co-star and husband James Dunmore, admitted she feels “nervous” to “share so much” about her life with the public again.

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“I never imagined returning to reality TV,” she said. “However, after eight years it turns out I actually quite miss it.”

Watson has previously revealed she found her contract with Made in Chelsea “controlling”.

Of her decision to quit the cast, she told her former co-star Jamie Laing on his Private Parts podcast: “I realised you can’t really be in a happy relationship on that show. At that point I was quite serious with James so I was like ‘actually I value this more.’

“Plus the controlling side of [the show] where you couldn’t do other work really annoyed me because I really wanted to do loads more,” she added.

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Felstead previously hinted she would return for a Made in Chelsea spin-off six years after her departure, if she were joined by Fortescue and Louise Thompson.

Writing on her Instagram story in October last year, she said: “It would have to be a very differently filmed show, but these two and I are still super close and were discussing potential ideas over lunch last month.”

Thompson has not been announced as a cast member on Beyond Chelsea. The former reality star has suffered a myriad of health issues since leaving Made in Chelsea after she was forced to have an emergency caesarean in November 2021.

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The event led to a series of physical and mental complications, which led to haemorrhages, the removal of her colon, fitting of a stoma bag, and a series of newly diagnosed physical and mental health conditions.

“I was very unlucky because I had this cascade of events happen to me,” she said of the ordeal.

“‘Old Louise’ would have been fuming because when I wanted something in the past, I made it happen. But none of it matters, not even the fact that I can’t carry another child. It’s over now — and I’ve been given a second shot at life.”

Beyond Chelsea will air on E4 and stream on Channel 4 later this year.