Bob Mortimer Wiki, Bio, Networth, GF, Wife, Family & More

Brief Introduction of Bob Mortimer

Robert “Bob” Renwick Mortimer is a celebrated English comedian, presenter, writer, and actor who has become a national treasure in the United Kingdom. He is best known for his long-standing and influential comedy partnership with Vic Reeves (Jim Moir), with whom he formed the surreal and anarchic double act, Vic and Bob. Their groundbreaking shows, such as “Vic Reeves Big Night Out” and “Shooting Stars,” redefined British comedy in the 1990s with a unique blend of absurdity, slapstick, and inventive characters. In more recent years, Mortimer has gained a new wave of popularity and critical acclaim for his role in the heartwarming BBC series “Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing,” alongside fellow comedian Paul Whitehouse. This series, born from their shared experiences with heart disease, showcases a more reflective and vulnerable side to Mortimer, resonating deeply with audiences. His legendary appearances on the panel show “Would I Lie to You?” have further cemented his status as one of Britain’s most beloved and uniquely hilarious personalities.

Bob Mortimer Overview

Early Life and Education of Bob Mortimer

Robert Renwick Mortimer was born on the 23rd of May 1959, in the Linthorpe area of Middlesbrough, England. He was the youngest of four sons, and his early life was marked by a significant tragedy when his father, a biscuit salesman, died in a car crash when Bob was just seven years old. This loss had a profound impact on him, a subject he has reflected on more openly in his later life, acknowledging how it shaped his personality and contributed to a period of intense shyness that lasted until he was around 30. Raised by his mother, Eunice, Mortimer attended King’s Manor School in his hometown. A passionate football fan, he had trials for the local professional club, Middlesbrough F.C., but his aspirations of a sporting career were cut short by the early onset of rheumatoid arthritis. Despite his shyness, he was academically successful, leaving school with three A-Levels. He went on to study law, first at the University of Sussex and later earning a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Welfare Law from the University of Leicester. During his university years, he embraced the punk scene and even started a band called Dog Dirt. After completing his studies, he relocated to London and began a career as a solicitor, initially working for Southwark Council before moving to a private practice in Peckham. His legal work, which included cases involving cockroach infestations, famously earned him the moniker “The Cockroach King” from a local newspaper.

Bob Mortimer’s Career

Bob Mortimer’s transition from a disillusioned solicitor to a comedy icon is a story of chance and undeniable talent. The pivotal moment came in 1986 when he went to see a performance by a comedian named Vic Reeves at the Goldsmiths Tavern in New Cross, London. Mortimer was captivated by Reeves’s surreal and inventive act and quickly became a fan. The two were introduced, struck up a friendship, and Mortimer soon began contributing to the show, eventually becoming an integral performer. He took a ten-week break from his legal job to film the first series of their show for television and never returned to law. Their collaboration, “Vic Reeves Big Night Out,” transferred to Channel 4 in 1990, unleashing their unique, anarchic variety show format on a national audience. This marked the beginning of the legendary comedy duo Vic and Bob. Following this success, they moved to the BBC and created a string of influential and critically acclaimed shows that cemented their reputation. These included the sketch shows “The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer” (1993-1995) and “Bang Bang, It’s Reeves and Mortimer” (1999). They are perhaps most famous for the hugely popular and chaotic parody panel show “Shooting Stars,” which ran intermittently from 1993 to 2011. They also starred together in the 2000-2001 remake of the classic series “Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased).” Beyond his partnership with Reeves, Mortimer has had a successful solo career. He co-wrote and starred in the sitcom “House of Fools” and has become a beloved fixture on panel shows, most notably “Would I Lie to You?”, where his bizarre and hilarious anecdotes have become legendary. He also co-hosts the popular and surreal football podcast “Athletico Mince” with Andy Dawson, which started in 2016. In recent years, Mortimer has experienced a remarkable career renaissance with “Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing,” which premiered in 2018. The show, which sees him and comedian Paul Whitehouse fishing and discussing life, health, and mortality, has been praised for its warmth, humour, and poignant honesty, earning numerous awards and nominations, including a BAFTA nod. Mortimer is also a bestselling author; his memoir, “And Away…” (2021), was a critical and commercial success, and he has since penned successful comic novels.

Bob Mortimer Personal Life & Family

Despite his public persona as a purveyor of surreal comedy, Bob Mortimer’s personal life has been grounded and relatively private. For over two decades, he was in a long-term relationship with Lisa Matthews. In a dramatic turn of events, the couple married in October 2015 on the very day Mortimer was admitted to hospital for emergency heart surgery. With only 30 minutes to spare before the operation, they tied the knot in a small ceremony attended only by their two sons, Harry and Tom. The family resides in Kent. Health has been a significant theme in Mortimer’s life. He has suffered from rheumatoid arthritis since he was a young man, a condition that ended his early footballing ambitions. In 2015, he faced a major health crisis when he was diagnosed with 95% blocked arteries and required an urgent triple heart bypass operation. This life-altering event became a catalyst for personal reflection and a change in lifestyle, and it was the direct inspiration for the “Gone Fishing” television series with Paul Whitehouse, who had also experienced heart problems. In more recent years, Mortimer has continued to face health challenges, including a severe bout of shingles which significantly affected the muscles in his legs. He has spoken openly on “Gone Fishing” and in interviews about the physical and mental toll of these issues, discussing his recovery and the realities of aging with his characteristic blend of honesty and humour. This candour has been widely praised and has resonated with a large audience, adding a layer of depth and relatability to his public image.

Awards and Achievements of Bob Mortimer

• BAFTA award for Originality (with Vic Reeves) in 1992.
• British Comedy Award (with Vic Reeves) in 2012.
• His memoir, “And Away…”, was named The Times and Sunday Times Humour Book of the Year (2021).
• “The Satsuma Complex,” his debut novel, won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction in 2023.
• “Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing” won the Features category at the BAFTA TV Awards.
• “Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing” was crowned Champion in a 2018 Radio Times poll.

Bob Mortimer Net Worth and Income

As of 2025, Bob Mortimer’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million. His wealth has been accumulated over a diverse and successful career in the entertainment industry spanning more than three decades. His primary sources of income stem from his extensive work in television, both as a performer and a writer. The enduring popularity of his comedy partnership with Vic Reeves generated significant income through their numerous hit TV series, live tours, and merchandise. In recent years, the phenomenal success of “Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing” has become a major income stream, not just from the broadcast rights but also from related book sales. Mortimer has also established himself as a bestselling author. His critically acclaimed autobiography, “And Away…”, and his subsequent fictional novels have sold millions of copies, contributing substantially to his earnings. Furthermore, he co-owns the independent production company Pett Productions with Vic Reeves and earns income from his popular podcast, “Athletico Mince.” Regular appearances on high-profile panel shows like “Would I Lie to You?” also provide a steady source of income. This combination of television work, writing, touring, and production ownership has ensured a consistent and significant income throughout his long-standing career.

Legacy and Influence

Bob Mortimer’s legacy is firmly cemented in the annals of British comedy. Alongside Vic Reeves, he was at the forefront of a seismic shift in the comedic landscape of the 1990s. Their surreal, non-sequitur style was a radical departure from the prevailing observational and political comedy of the time. They introduced a new generation to a brand of humour that was gleefully silly, anarchic, and unpredictable, influencing countless comedians who followed. Shows like “Vic Reeves Big Night Out” and “Shooting Stars” broke conventional formats and celebrated the bizarre, creating a unique comedic language that remains influential. In a 2005 poll, fellow comedians and industry insiders voted the duo the 9th greatest comedy act of all time, a testament to their peer-group standing. However, Mortimer’s influence extends beyond the surrealism of his early work. The latter part of his career, particularly with “Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing,” has revealed a different, more profound side to his public image. The show’s gentle pace and candid conversations about health, friendship, and mortality have demonstrated a powerful way to blend humour with pathos. It has proven that comedy can be a vehicle for discussing serious life issues in an accessible and heartwarming way, broadening his appeal to a vast audience and establishing him as a true “national treasure.” His honesty about his shyness and health struggles has made him a relatable and much-loved figure, proving that vulnerability can be as compelling as any comedy routine.

Interesting Facts about Bob Mortimer

• Before his comedy career, Mortimer worked as a solicitor and was once dubbed “The Cockroach King” by a local paper for his success in cases regarding insect-infested properties.
• He suffered from crippling shyness until he was 30 years old, only beginning to overcome it after his initial television success.
• As a teenager, he had trials for his beloved local football club, Middlesbrough F.C., but had to give up on the dream due to arthritis.
• During his university days as a punk, he formed a band called “Dog Dirt.”
• He once accidentally burned down his family’s home as a child with a stray firework.
• On the day he was due to have life-saving triple bypass surgery, he married his partner of 22 years, Lisa Matthews, just 30 minutes before the operation.
• In 2002, he defeated fellow comedian Les Dennis in a “Celebrity Boxing” match for the BBC.

Controversies

Bob Mortimer has maintained a career remarkably free of major public controversies. His humour, while often bizarre and surreal, has rarely strayed into territory that has caused significant offence. He has generally avoided the political and social commentary that can sometimes lead to public backlash. Any minor controversies have been typically related to the surreal nature of his television shows, which some critics initially found too strange, but this was a matter of comedic taste rather than scandal. His public persona is one of warmth, wit, and gentle eccentricity, and he has successfully navigated over three decades in the public eye without any notable personal or professional scandals tarnishing his reputation.

Social Media Presence

• Instagram (@realbobmortimer) – Approximately 1.4 million followers
• Twitter (@RealBobMortimer) – Information not disclosed.
• YouTube – He has an official YouTube channel with Paul Whitehouse for “Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing,” which has a significant following.

Final Words about Bob Mortimer

Bob Mortimer’s journey is a remarkable tale of two distinct but equally brilliant careers. He first captured the public’s imagination as the slightly more grounded, yet equally absurd, foil to Vic Reeves, helping to create a comedy revolution. Their partnership left an indelible mark on British culture, and their work is still celebrated for its fearless originality. In what could be considered the second act of his public life, Mortimer has emerged, unexpectedly, as a figure of warmth, wisdom, and poignant reflection. Through “Gone Fishing,” his bestselling books, and his candid discussions about his health, he has connected with the public on a deeper, more personal level. He has shown that it is possible to be both profoundly silly and profoundly moving. As he continues to navigate health challenges with his trademark humour and grace, Bob Mortimer remains one of the UK’s most cherished entertainers. His legacy is not just one of laughter, but also of resilience, friendship, and the joy of finding humour and beauty in the everyday currents of life.