Bob Mortimer Shares Emotional Reflection on Death After Heart Surgery

Comedian Bob Mortimer has opened up about his health struggles and how they’ve changed his outlook on life and death.

The Last One Laughing star, 65, underwent triple heart bypass surgery in 2015 after discovering 95% of his arteries were blocked. During the operation, his heart was stopped for 32 minutes.

“I’m not scared of death,” he said on Kathy Burke’s podcast. “I’m just sad I won’t get to see how things turn out—my kids, my wife, the football, the world.”

Bob married his longtime partner Lisa Matthews just 30 minutes before his surgery after receiving a special exemption to the usual waiting period. Only their two sons attended the ceremony.

More recently, Bob was hit hard by shingles, which left him with muscle loss and reliant on a wheelchair during filming for Gone Fishing. He now fears he may never run again. “It’s been the worst health year of my life,” he admitted.

He also spoke about his ongoing battle with rheumatoid arthritis and how lockdown worsened his health. “I’ve probably taken two years off my life,” he said, reflecting on a period of inactivity and poor diet.

Despite everything, Bob remains open and honest about his journey, offering a mix of humor and heartbreak as he navigates life after serious illness.