Bob Mortimer, the beloved comedian known for his surreal humour and deadpan delivery, is enjoying a resurgence in popularity, cementing his status as a national treasure with a new series of 'Last One Laughing UK', the launch of his book 'The Long Shoe', and his enduring appeal on programmes like 'Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing'.
The Laughter Crucible
Mortimer is currently a key figure in the returning Prime Video series 'Last One Laughing UK', an elimination competition that locks ten comedians in a room for six hours. The premise is simple yet torturous: make others laugh while keeping a straight face yourself. Laughter or even a smile results in a yellow card, followed by a red card and dismissal from the game, all under the watchful eye of host Jimmy Carr.
It's a format that originated from the Japanese show 'Documental', and the British version sees a mix of younger comedians like Maisie Adam, Gbemisola Ikumelo, and Sam Campbell joining seasoned veterans such as Mel Giedroyc, Romesh Ranganathan, David Mitchell, and Diane Morgan. Mortimer, described as having quietly ascended to national treasure status, is a returning contestant, known for his unique brand of absurdist humour that proves particularly potent in such a pressure-cooker environment.
The early episodes of the new series have already delivered plenty of memorable moments. Alan Carr, for instance, inhaled helium from a balloon beneath his shirt, lamenting afterwards that he sounded 'butcher'. Romesh Ranganathan seized the opportunity, singing the title track from the Bollywood romcom 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' directly into Carr's ear, while wearing a baseball cap backwards.
And Sam Campbell chimed in from across the room, asking, 'Have you seen Lagaan?' Such exchanges highlight the show's comedic intensity, feeling almost unfair in their hilarity.
Contestants employ various defensive tactics to avoid succumbing to mirth, much like one might have done during a particularly dull church service in childhood. Yawning, pursing lips, or simply walking away are common strategies. At one point, Ikumelo found herself tearing up, her body seemingly misinterpreting the extreme suppression of laughter. Mortimer himself, ever the veteran, advocates for a 'safety face' – a specific facial arrangement designed to stifle giggles. Unfortunately, his own 'safety face', a rather preposterous underbite, tends to provoke snorts from anyone who sees it, proving that sometimes, attack is indeed the best defence.
No one, it seems, wishes to be in Mortimer's vicinity during the show. He operates like an 'absurdist Gatling gun', launching unexpected observations such as, 'I’ve lifted Ronnie Corbett,' entirely out of context, before launching into a detailed explanation of why it was a surprisingly difficult feat.
These unscripted shenanigans are screamingly funny on their own, but the added layer of contestants desperately trying not to laugh creates a hysterical, almost painful, secondhand torment. David Mitchell aptly noted the experience was 'like lots of delicious food that we’re looking at and throwing away,' while Ikumelo reflected, 'It started to feel painful not to laugh.'
The Master Storyteller
Whether he's appearing on 'Would I Lie To You?', 'Last One Laughing', or 'Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing', audiences know that when Bob Mortimer opens his mouth, a story is about to unfold. These tales, which often begin innocuously, inevitably escalate into paroxysms of laughter, becoming the sort of content people eagerly share in WhatsApp chats with a simple instruction: 'You’ve got to watch this.'
What sets Mortimer apart from many other comedians who tell outlandish anecdotes is the uncanny sense of reality his nonsense conveys. Take, for example, his famous self-dentistry story on 'Would I Lie To You?'.
He recounts his teeth going awry after eating a chocolate bar, then calmly describes how he resolved the issue himself, as if discussing a mundane task like putting up a shelf. The panel often visibly wobbles between outright disbelief and total acceptance, precisely because Mortimer sprinkles in just enough everyday detail to make the utterly mad sound entirely plausible.
This distinctive style is evident in other much-loved tales too, such as the Chris Rea bath story, the gaming-chair saga, or his account of a perplexing run-in with the police. He never rushes his delivery, instead circling back to add a tiny, seemingly insignificant detail that suddenly makes the listener lean forward, captivated. It feels less like a rehearsed television performance and more like listening to the most engaging storyteller in the pub, finally warmed up and delving into his best material. Fans frequently state that his 'Would I Lie To You?' clips are the first they seek out, often finding themselves 'losing an hour' as they jump from one story to the next.
Beyond the Giggles: 'Gone Fishing'
'Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing' presents a different facet of Mortimer's appeal, yet it's undeniably the same brilliant mind at work, albeit with more expansive skies and fewer studio lights. On paper, the show is simply two friends fishing by a river. In reality, it evolves into long, meandering, and often daft conversations about seemingly nothing in particular, which then seamlessly transition into profoundly honest discussions about ageing and the anxieties that accompany it.
The programme features Mortimer's characteristic wobbly walks along riverbanks, moments of pure slapstick like ending up on his backside, or comically arguing with a camping chair. But it's also punctuated by poignant pauses where he and Paul Whitehouse speak candidly about serious topics, including heart surgery and the reflections that follow. The switches between clowning around and genuine vulnerability feel entirely natural, never forced. It mirrors the reality of a day out with an old friend: five minutes of serious conversation, followed by complete absurdity once more. This unique blend of humour and heartfelt honesty is precisely why many viewers find solace in Bob Mortimer's presence when life feels heavy.
Teesside Roots
Throughout his diverse career, Mortimer has consistently maintained a strong connection to his origins. His voice and perspective have never drifted far from where he began. Speaking following the launch of his new book, 'The Long Shoe', the comedy legend expressed his enduring love for his hometown, telling BBC Radio Tees that his heart would always be in Teesside.
Mortimer, known for his surreal and eccentric humour alongside Vic Reeves, and more recently for his BBC series with Paul Whitehouse, frequently travels back to the area where he grew up. He regularly attends matches to support his beloved Middlesbrough FC with his sons. 'I do miss it, home is where your heart is,' he remarked, adding, 'It's a very beautiful neck of the woods we live in. It is easy to ignore it.'
The way he describes streets, neighbours, and jobs resonates deeply with anyone who grew up in the North East. There's a particular rhythm to how he talks about stupid decisions, daft plans, and old cars that's distinctly characteristic of that part of the world. This authentic regional voice is a big part of his appeal, ensuring that even younger viewers, discovering him through clipped stories online, feel a genuine connection to his roots and his unique perspective.
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His ability to blend the profoundly absurd with the genuinely poignant, all while staying true to his Teesside heritage, continues to resonate with audiences across the country.
This article was created with AI assistance.
