Bob Mortimer – Biography, Books, TV Shows, and Net Worth

Bob Mortimer is one of Britain’s best-loved comedians, a writer, actor, and former solicitor who rose to fame as one half of the legendary double act Reeves and Mortimer. He later won over a new generation with his heartfelt fishing series alongside Paul Whitehouse. From his early life in Middlesbrough to the heart surgery that changed everything, here is everything you need to know about the man behind the laughter.

Born Robert Renwick Mortimer in Middlesbrough in 1959, he trained as a lawyer and worked as a solicitor before a chance meeting with Vic Reeves altered the course of his career. Decades later, he has written bestselling books, survived a triple heart bypass, and remains a fixture on British television.

What is Bob Mortimer Famous For?

• Bob Mortimer is best known as one half of the comedy duo Reeves and Mortimer, which rose to fame in the 1990s with shows like ‘Vic Reeves Big Night Out’ and ‘Shooting Stars’.
• He transitioned from a career as a solicitor to full-time comedy after meeting Vic Reeves (Jim Moir) in the late 1980s.
• His recent work includes the hugely popular BBC series ‘Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing’, co-starring Paul Whitehouse, which blends fishing, friendship, and reflections on health and aging.
• Bob Mortimer has published two novels: ‘The Satsuma Complex’ (2022) and ‘The Avocado Hotel’ (2024).
• He underwent major heart surgery in 2015 (triple bypass) and has been open about its impact on his life and career.
• He also won the first series of ‘LOL: Last One Laughing UK’ in March 2025.

Who is Bob Mortimer’s Wife? Does He Have Children?

Bob Mortimer married Lisa Matthews in 2015, according to his Wikipedia entry. The couple have kept much of their personal life private, though Mortimer has occasionally shared light-hearted anecdotes about family life on podcasts and in interviews. He has two children, both sons, though their names have not been widely published and appear to be kept out of the public eye.

Before his marriage, Mortimer had spoken about his younger years with a characteristic mix of humour and modesty. He has said that his decision to settle down and start a family came later in life, a change he has described as grounding and deeply positive.

What Books Has Bob Mortimer Written?

Bob Mortimer has authored three major books. His first, And Away…, is a memoir published in 2021. It became the bestselling memoir of that year, was named The Times and Sunday Times Humour Book of the Year, and was shortlisted for Non-fiction Book of the Year at the National Book Awards. The book covers his childhood, his legal career, his rise in comedy, and his life-changing heart surgery.

His first novel, The Satsuma Complex, was published in 2022 and became an instant Sunday Times bestseller. In 2023, it won the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for Comic Fiction, one of the most prestigious awards for humorous writing in the UK. Set in London, the novel is a comic mystery that showcases Mortimer’s distinctive narrative voice.

What Movies and TV Shows Has Bob Mortimer Appeared In?

Bob Mortimer’s television career began in earnest with Vic Reeves Big Night Out on Channel 4 in 1990. The show’s anarchic, surreal comedy made the duo household names. From there, the pair created a string of beloved series including The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, the panel show Shooting Stars, and the sitcom Catterick.

He also appeared in the 2000s remake of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) alongside Vic Reeves. In the 2010s, Mortimer branched out into solo and collaborative projects, including the BBC sitcom House of Fools.

His most acclaimed recent work is Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, which he co-hosts with Paul Whitehouse. The series, which began in 2018, follows the two friends as they fish in some of Britain’s most beautiful rivers and lakes. The show has been praised for its gentle pace, emotional depth, and open discussion of male friendship and mortality. Mortimer also won the first series of the Amazon Prime competition show LOL: Last One Laughing UK in March 2025, proving his comedy instincts remain as sharp as ever.

What is Bob Mortimer’s Net Worth?

Bob Mortimer’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed. Various estimates from unverified online sources suggest a figure in the range of roughly £3 million to £6 million, but no reliable financial statement or independently verified calculation exists in the public domain. Mortimer has not commented on his personal wealth, and the figures that circulate online remain speculative.

What is clear is that he has sustained a long and varied career across television, books, and live performances. Given the commercial success of his memoirs and novels, combined with his long-running TV series, his net worth is widely assumed to be significant.

Bob Mortimer: Key Career Timeline

1. 1959 – Born in Middlesbrough.
2. 1970s-1980s – Studied law at the University of Sussex and University of Leicester, earning an LL.M. in Welfare Law; qualified as a solicitor.
3. 1986 – Met Vic Reeves at a comedy show; began performing together.
4. 1990 – Debut TV show “Vic Reeves Big Night Out” on Channel 4.
5. 1993-2002 – Success with “Shooting Stars”, “The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer”, “Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased)”.
6. 2015 – Married Lisa Matthews; underwent triple heart bypass surgery.
7. 2018 – Launched “Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing” with Paul Whitehouse.
8. 2021 – Published memoir “And Away…”.
9. 2022 – Published first novel “The Satsuma Complex”.
10. 2024 – Published second novel “The Avocado Hotel”.
11. 2025 – Won “LOL: Last One Laughing UK”; ongoing TV and podcast work.

What is Known – and What Remains Unclear – About Bob Mortimer’s Life

While a great deal is publicly known about Bob Mortimer, certain aspects of his life remain out of the public record. The table below separates established facts from areas where information is uncertain or has not been confirmed.

What is Bob Mortimer’s Cultural Significance and Why Does He Matter in 2025?

Bob Mortimer is a key figure in British alternative comedy, known for surrealist humour and double-act chemistry. His later work with Paul Whitehouse has introduced him to a new generation as a warm, reflective presence. Searches for Mortimer typically peak around new book releases, podcast episodes, and new series of “Gone Fishing”, while his personal life and net worth remain perennial curiosities.

His decision to be candid about his heart surgery, aging, and the quieter pleasures of fishing has added emotional depth to his public persona. He has become something of a comfort figure in British culture – a man who can still make audiences laugh while also making them reflect on life, friendship, and recovery.

What Has Bob Mortimer Said in His Own Words?

A number of quotes attributed to Mortimer from podcast and press appearances help illustrate his character and outlook.

I met Vic at a comedy night in 1986… we just clicked and started doing routines together.

– Interview on Adam Buxton’s podcast (Episode 74)

After my bypass, I thought I’d never work again. But fishing with Paul Whitehouse was the best therapy.

– Various interviews, including The Guardian

I never expected to write novels, but it just came out of me during lockdown.

– Promotional interviews for “The Avocado Hotel”

What’s Next for Bob Mortimer?

Looking ahead, Mortimer is expected to continue presenting Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, with a new series said to be in development. There has been rumoured interest in television or film adaptations of his novels, and he has hinted at the possibility of live stand-up shows. Further guest appearances on popular podcasts remain likely, and fans may see a third novel from him in the coming years.