Bob Mortimer, the 64-year-old comedian, recently opened up about the devastating impact of his ongoing health struggles. During an episode of his show Gone Fishing, Mortimer revealed that he had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a condition he first experienced in his 20s. Unfortunately, this year brought more health challenges as he suffered from shingles, a painful skin infection caused by the varicella-zoster virus.
In a conversation with fellow comedian Paul Whitehouse, Mortimer shared, It’s been a very, very, very unhealthy year for me…And you know what – it was worse than my heart period. The muscles I’ve lost, I’ve lost… But other ones can compensate for it, you know what I mean? He went on to express his concern about never being able to run again, something he once enjoyed.
Reflecting on his past diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, Mortimer told The Sun, I have been free of it since I have been 34 and it came back 10 days ago. It is really sad for me to know whether it will go. Yes, I might be fat but actually, I am on steroids.
These health scares have prompted Mortimer to reevaluate his lifestyle, feeling as though he had a brush with mortality. He admitted to engaging in activities post-operation that he wouldn’t have done before, realizing the importance of cherishing the time we have.
Prior to his career as a comedian, Mortimer worked as a solicitor until he met Vic Reeves, which led to his pursuit of stand-up comedy. Together, they achieved fame through the comedy panel show Shooting Stars in the 90s and have since appeared in various other programs, including House of Fools.
Bob Mortimer’s candid revelations about his ongoing health struggles serve as a reminder that even those in the public eye face challenges and setbacks. It is a testament to his resilience that he continues to bring laughter to audiences worldwide. We wish him strength and good health as he navigates these difficulties.
