Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing Returns for Eighth Series

By Jon Donnis

Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse are back for another series of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, returning Sunday 26 October at 9pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer. Series eight promises more gentle humour, stunning scenery and the reflective conversations that have made the show a favourite with viewers.

This time around, both men take a slightly different approach, choosing locations that carry personal meaning rather than focusing solely on fishing specific species. Paul revisits waters connected to his childhood, including trips that evoke memories of fishing with his father, while Bob heads back to Manchester, catching up with old friends and revisiting familiar haunts. Nostalgia underpins the series, from 1970s-style caravans in Wales to the quiet beauty of the Findhorn in Scotland.

Fishing remains at the heart of the show, but the duo admit it has been one of their most challenging series yet. They encountered new experiences, such as night fishing in Wales, with Bob landing a rare sea trout in total darkness. The elusive perch continues to evade them despite repeated attempts over seven series, while grayling provide unexpected rewards. For both, the joy comes as much from the experience, the chats and the food, as from the fish themselves.

Cooking and camaraderie continue to play a key role. Highlights include venison cooked on stones in Scotland and the simple pleasure of a fish and chips meal in Manchester. Bob also indulges his newfound hairdressing skills, cutting Paul's hair on location. Even their canine companion, Ted, who sometimes struggles with longer walks, remains a constant presence, adding charm and occasional comic relief.

The series balances humour and reflection, capturing the duo noticing the passage of time. Both men discuss feeling their age, but also the joy of discovering new places and revisiting old ones together. Paul calls the Findhorn in Scotland the visual highlight of the series, praising its scenery even when the fishing proved difficult.

Music and editing remain collaborative efforts, with editor Doug Bryson and the production team helping select tracks that complement the tone of each episode. Together, they maintain the warmth and intimacy that has become the signature of Gone Fishing.

Series eight of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing premieres Sunday 26 October at 9pm on BBC Two, with all episodes available on BBC iPlayer.

Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour to Showcase Ireland’s Culinary Delights on BBC Two

 

Image: Below The Radar

By Jon Donnis

Celebrity chef Anna Haugh is set to embark on a vibrant culinary journey across Ireland in her new 15-part series, Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour. Launching on Monday 5 May on BBC Two, the series will celebrate the diversity and richness of Irish cuisine, with a host of celebrity guests joining Anna along the way.

Travelling from Ballycastle in County Antrim to the streets of Cork city, Anna meets local food producers, samples regional ingredients, and prepares traditional and modern dishes. Each episode features a special guest, including Katherine Ryan, Dennis Taylor, Ed Byrne, Shayne Ward, Laura Whitmore, and Vanessa Feltz, who share their personal food memories and lend a hand in the kitchen.

Speaking about the series, Anna said, “Irish food is my passion and it’s a passion that took me from Dublin to London to pursue my dreams. Throughout this series, viewers can look forward to lots of delicious, inspiring food ingredients, wonderful recipes and great chats with my celebrity guests and food producers.”

The series opens with Anna welcoming Katherine Ryan to Cork, where they revisit Katherine’s less than fond memories of Irish cooking from her youth. Episode two sees snooker legend Dennis Taylor return to his roots in County Tyrone, culminating in a meal featuring the Lough Neagh eel, cooked outdoors with Anna’s guidance.

As the series continues, Anna meets familiar faces such as Eilish O'Carroll from Mrs Brown's Boys in Dublin’s vibrant markets, and Diarmuid Gavin on a farm in Ballycastle, where they join in the potato planting season. Their hard work is rewarded with a hearty goat hotpot prepared by Anna using the freshly harvested potatoes.

Highlights from the series include a visit to the rugged landscapes of County Mayo with Angela Scanlon, and a nostalgic trip to Portrush with actor Ian McElhinney, who recalls childhood seaside holidays and the local seaweed delicacy, dulse.

Other notable guests include Vanessa Feltz, Pauline McLynn, Liz Bonnin, rugby player Bundee Aki, and popstar Una Healy. The journey concludes in County Louth with Shayne Ward, where Anna helps him connect with his Irish Traveller roots through traditional crafts and local farming experiences.

Anna Haugh’s Big Irish Food Tour was commissioned by BBC Daytime and BBC Northern Ireland, developed under the Hot House Initiative with support from Northern Ireland Screen. Produced by Below The Radar TV, the series airs weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two from 5 May, with all episodes available to stream on BBC iPlayer.