Ninth season of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing expected in 2026

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing has become one of the most popular series on British television, with two of the country’s best-loved comedians taking to the waterways. It has capitalised on the popularity of fishing content in the mainstream but has offered people a slightly different way to enjoy angling.

With eight seasons of the hit series already, a ninth edition is on the way in 2026. Bob Mortimer has expressed a desire to continue the show for as long as the BBC will allow.

Fishing-themed content is extremely successful in modern mainstream

Part of the reason for Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing’s success is the fact that fishing is everywhere in the entertainment industry. It seems that people are constantly looking for different ways to enjoy the pastime, with the games market particularly stacked with options for players to choose from.

For example, the Big Bass Bonanza slot game is one of the most played titles in the iGaming market, and it acts as a huge draw for online games. Indeed, it’s one of many Big Bass games in the ever-growing franchise, highlighting how there’s a huge audience for fishing themes. Fishing has also been prevalent in the virtual reality market, with options like Real VR Fishing hooking in a lot of players.

There are also countless other fishing television series on the market, many of which have been running for much longer than Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. For example, the much-loved Deadliest Catch has been running for 21 seasons already, with a 22nd expected to be released in 2026.

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing – one of the most wholesome shows on television

There are countless reasons why Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing has been such a hit with British audiences. In its early days, the main appeal was in seeing the comedy pair of Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse together, as the two are among the most beloved comedians in the UK. However, as the show continued, people tuned in for other reasons. The fact that the series takes people into nature and allows them to feel as if they are enjoying the great outdoors with the two stars is a major draw.

The fishing series has received excellent reviews during its run, with The Guardian referring to it as a “real beauty”. Viewers enjoy it because it’s wholesome viewing, and the two comedians have conversations about a wide range of important topics as well. The fishing itself is secondary to the conversations, but it acts as a great distraction at times when things get slightly too serious.

On top of all this, the series also celebrates the British countryside in all its glory, with high-quality cameras immersing you in the settings as if you’re there. This adds to the appeal and gives people another reason to watch.

With season nine confirmed and likely to air in 2026, viewers are hoping that it will be immediately renewed for a tenth outing. This format is unlikely to become tiresome, and many viewers turn to it as one of their favourite comforting watches.

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