Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse are "very competitive" about their health issues.
The ‘Gone Fishing’ stars and close pals have both had surgery in the past for heart conditions, and the ‘Fast Show’ comedian, 61, admitted there’s a lighthearted edge to their friendship.
He said: "He’s very proud of his ‘Zipper Club’ scar, where he had his open-heart surgery, but I’m thinking of having another stent put in to make it four versus his triple bypass.
"We’re very competitive. He says I go on about my left knee all the time, well, that’s because I had my bloody cruciate given out and it gives me grief."
Despite the friendly competition Bob, 60, admitted he was "scared" before undergoing the procedure four years ago, but Paul encouraged him to join him fishing to make sure he wasn’t just sat around at home.
Bob told Radio Times magazine: "The surgeon said to me that half the people who have this operation go and sit on the sofa for the rest of their lives because they’re scared to do anything, and the other half get on and do something.
"I was very much in that sofa area, so I was extremely glad when Paul got in touch. It’s the kind of thing he does, he’s a very caring man.
"I’d been fishing from the ages of 12 to 14 and I’d agreed to go fishing with Paul before my operation, so he didn’t have to insist."
And Paul explained he has been inspired by the way his friend takes each day.
The ctor added: "He takes it all in, it’s like he can’t believe where he is, the nature all around – there’s a wonderment to him."
Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse get ‘competitive’ about their health issues
