Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse have led tributes to their much-loved Gone Fishing companion, Ted the dog.
The beloved canine, who regularly accompanied the comedians on their angling adventures on their BBC series, has passed away and will make his last appearance in the forthcoming ninth series, the BBC confirmed.
Mortimer said in a statement: “So very, very sad. Lovely Ted, the best companion and the greatest little chum. Going to miss him so much.. and away boss.”
Whitehouse also paid tribute to Ted, saying: “Bye bye Ted old friend. He wasn’t a dog, he was a species all of his own. He’s gone to the great briefcase emporium in the sky. We will really miss you mate.”
Ted was owned by Gone Fishing executive producer Lisa Clark after she rescued him from a dog’s home in Surrey in 2013.
Clark said: “Ted was a much-loved family pet as well as a treasured companion to Paul and Bob on Gone Fishing. He took fame in his little stride and loved nothing better than messing around on the riverbanks, nicking jammy dodgers from Bob and bait from Paul.”
She continued: “He will be sorely missed both at home and on screen. We’ll never forget him. He is survived at home by Bo the Briard.”
Ted made his first appearance on the show – which combines fishing adventures with personal stories and reflections on life – in series 3 in 2020, and soon became a fan favourite among viewers.
Whether it was impromptu swims while the hosts were trying to fish, stealing picnic food or countless other mischievous moments, he often stole the scene with his playful presence and toothy overbite.
During the Gone Fishing Christmas special in Cornwall in 2025, he received the lifetime achievement award.
During a guest spot on Saturday Kitchen back in November 2025, Mortimer revealed that Ted was 15 years old and experiencing some age-related health issues.
“He still loves coming out with us, and he seems very happy,” Mortimer said of his trusty canine friend.
He added: “He doesn’t have to be wheeled around all the time, but for longer journeys, up the river bank, we put him in a pram now.”
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Molly Moss is a Trends Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest trends across TV, film and more. She has an MA in Newspaper Journalism and has previously written for publications including The Guardian, The Times and The Sun Online.
