Beloved four-legged companion Ted took centre stage in an emotional instalment of Gone Fishing. Fans were left reaching for the tissues after the opening episode of season nine honoured the much-loved dog Ted with a heartfelt title card, and the second episode proves equally moving. The Patterdale Terrier cross, who belonged to Gone Fishing executive producer Lisa Clark, died aged 13 in April this year. In episode two, Paul Whitehouse and Bob Mortimer returned to Norfolk — a poignant visit given it was the very first location where Ted accompanied them. The pair fondly recall memories of Ted and raise a cup in his honour.
The duo are spotted driving through the countryside when Paul agreed Norfolk would be “right up Ted’s street”. He added: “It’s fitting that we are back here now then, isn’t it? We’ll maybe raise a glass to Ted, because we will miss him.”
The duo proceeded to jest about their former companion, “Do you think he will go up or down?” Bob enquired, alluding to heaven and hell. “It’s very hard to say, I think he will go up,” Paul said as he humoured his mate. “But then be rejected,” Bob remarked.
Further into the episode, while seated beside the riverbank discussing Bob joining the gym with his son, the two contemplated how they’d mistreated their bodies during their younger years before turning to the subject of Ted. As they savoured a cup of tea, they raised a toast to Ted, with Paul observing: “He’s be having a right laugh up there, won’t he?”
“The people up there with him won’t though, will they?” Bob responded. “I know, he will give them a piece of his mind,” Paul joked, adding: “Teddy, we are going to miss him on the riverbank, Bob, aren’t we?”
“Good company, he was,” Bob reflected. “He was great, because he certainly didn’t fawn over us, did he?” The exchange then became more touching as Bob offered heartfelt remarks about their late companion.
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“He were grumpy… he had a very generous heart,” Bob said. “And that’s why we loved him, poor old Teddy”, Paul added as the melancholy music kept playing.
Ted first appeared in the third series, which broadcast in September 2020. He subsequently featured regularly throughout the programme and was later presented with a ‘lifetime achievement award’ in the 2025 Christmas special.
The rescue dog’s passing and the tribute which followed in last week’s Gone Fishing left viewers in tears, and they flocked to Instagram to express their reactions to the show’s comeback. One commented: “#GoneFishing what a show, what an episode. Still sobbing. RIP Ted.”
Another posted: “That was a hard watch saying goodbye to Ted. He’ll always be remembered as part of the #GoneFishing team. Thanks for the memories Ted.”
Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing airs on Sundays on BBC2 at 9pm.
