Where to Watch Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Online Free

Where to Watch Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing

What is the show Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing about?

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing is a British television series that originally aired on BBC Two in 2018. The show follows comedians and real-life friends Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer as they travel to various locations around the United Kingdom to go fishing.

Here’s a little clip from one of the previous episodes –


All 5 series are available on BBC iPlayer, which is free to watch from the UK.  You can also watch anything on the BBC from outside the UK using a VPN like NordVPN.

The Show itself – A Different Fishing Show

The premise of the show is simple – two friends going on fishing trips around the United Kingdom and just talking about life. However, what makes the show special is the chemistry between Whitehouse and Mortimer. The two have been friends for over 30 years, and their banter is both hilarious and heart-warming.

What’s most important to know about the show is that really you don’t have to have the slightest interest in fishing. Surprisingly it’s pretty much irrelevant to whether you enjoy the show or not. In fact, if you just want to learn about fishing then it’s probably not the best introduction.

It’s however, the perfect antidote to the stressful, fast paced modern world. It you want something soothing and relaxing – ‘Gone Fishing’ is just the show you need. So perhaps give the BBC News a miss one night and stream an episode or two!  It will make you smile and the two main stars – Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse are very likable. The BBC describes it as a show about two friends, beautiful places and a bit of a natter.

Gone Fishing - Mortimer and Whitehouse

Who are the hosts of the show?

The show follows comedians and real-life friends Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer as they go on fishing trips together, chatting and bonding along the way. They’re pretty famous in the United Kingdom but probably less so in other countries.

Who is Paul Whitehouse?

Paul Whitehouse is a British comedian, actor and writer. He was born in London, England on 17th May 1958. Whitehouse started his career as an assistant to the editor of the satirical magazine Private Eye. He co-wrote and starred in BBC sitcom The Fast Show, which he created with Charlie Higson. He has also written for television shows such as Little Britain.

Like Bob, Paul also suffered some serious health problems and is recovering as well.

Who is Bob Mortimer?

Bob Mortimer is a British comedian, actor and writer. He was born on the 23rd of May 1958 so is currently 63 years of age. He trained as a solicitor before getting into comedy. He has appeared as an actor in various television shows however is probably most famous for his work with Vic Reeves. It was the show – Vic Reeves Big Night Out that turned Mortimer into a comedy star.

Since then, he has appeared in many shows for British Television both with Vic reeves and working with other personalities. Prior to starting to film Gone Fishing he had some serious health problems which included heart surgery.

fishing in the evening

What type of fishing do they do on the show?

So as mentioned, fishing is not really that central to the show – although they do spend quite a lot of time on river and lakesides. Paul Whitehouse is the experienced fisherman who helps Mortimer learn about his favorite hobby. They try all sorts of fishing but it’s really the locations that are more important. There are all sorts of beautiful places featured from all around the British Isles. As we’ve mentioned fishing is not really that fundamental in ‘Gone Fishing’ but here’s a few of the types which the boys try out.

Carp Fishing

Carp fishing is a popular type of fishing that is often done in ponds or lakes. The fish are usually caught using a rod and line, and bait is often used to attract them. Carp are a popular type of fish to catch because they are relatively easy to catch and can be quite large.

Fly fishing:

Fly fishing is a type of fishing that uses an artificial fly as bait. The fly is cast using a rod and line, and the fisherman tries to entice the fish to bite the fly. Fly fishing can be done in both fresh and salt water, and it is often considered to be a more challenging type of fishing than other types.

Coarse fishing:

Coarse fishing is a type of fishing that is done in freshwater, such as rivers or lakes. Coarse fish include carp, bream, catfish, tench, and barbel. Coarse fish are usually caught using baits such as worms or maggots.

Where do they fish?

Basically, all around the United Kingdom! They fish in the Norfolk Broads, the Lake District, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and most everywhere in between. The beauty of the locations is stunning and viewers in the UK will often be amazed to learn that these locations are often on their doorstep. Most locations are of course chosen primarily on the fishing and there’s usually a target which is not always achieved.

What have they learned from fishing?

Mortimer and Whitehouse have learned the importance of being patient while fishing. They have to wait for the fish to bite, and sometimes that can take a while. But the satisfaction of a good catch is worth it. As many life coaches advise, another skill that you can learn while fishing is – ‘how to enjoy the moment’.

Fishing is a great opportunity to relax and enjoy the moment. The scenery is often beautiful, and it’s peaceful being out on the water. It’s a chance to forget about everything else and just focus on enjoying nature.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of landing a big fish. It’s a great accomplishment, and it always tastes even better when you’ve caught it yourself. Although in this series Mortimer and Whitehouse always return their catch quickly to the water after admiring it briefly.

relaxing english river scene

How can fishing be used as a form of therapy?

Fishing can be a form of therapy for many people. It can help to relax and de-stress and can also provide an opportunity to connect with nature. Fishing can also be a great way to get some exercise and can be a very peaceful and calming activity.

Relaxation and destressing can also be achieved by watching this show. If you’ve had a busy week or want something gentle, peaceful and amusing to watch then you won’t get much better than Mortimer and Whitehouse – Gone Fishing. Remember the fishing bit isn’t really important – it’s one of my favourite shows and I’ve never fished in my life!

Mortimer & Whitehouse Gone Fishing season 5 release date

The fifth season of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing will be released in September 2022.

Where Can I Watch Other Seasons of Gone Fishing

Well, if you live in the UK then there’s great news. Every season of Gone Fishing is currently available on BBC iPlayer to stream online or download and watch. There’s no guarantee how long they will be available, but they’re currently listed to be there at least for this year.

The later seasons should be on iPlayer for at least another 12 months.

FAQ – Watching Gone Fishing

Here’s a quick answer lists of a few of the questions we’ve got for this and related posts. Post in the comments if you need any more help.

How Can I watch the BBC iPlayer from outside the UK?

Basically, you need to hide your IP address using something called a VPN or SmartDNS. It’s a simple service which protects your internet connections and hides your location. If you connect your VPN to a UK server, you can watch the BBC from anywhere.

Just read this page if you want a demonstration – How to Watch UK TV in USA in 2024 : Enjoy British Television Online (uktv-online.com)

Do I Need a UK TV License to Watch Gone Fishing on the BBC iPlayer?

If you’re watching in the UK then you definitely need a TV license or you risk a large fine. However, if you’re using a VPN to access the BBC from abroad then you will not be able to buy a UK TV license. You will be asked when using the website but there’s no check. You have to say “Yes”, or you’ll be unable to stream anything.

Can I watch ITV with a VPN?

Yes, you can watch ITV Hub from anywhere in the world by using a VPN.  Make sure that the VPN isn’t blocked or you’ll get an error – usually Error 006 which you can read about here.