Sad news for fans of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing. Ted has died.

The dog, a patterdale terrier mix, first appeared on the BBC fishing series alongside Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse in 2020 and had regularly joined them on their river-based adventures since.

The news of Ted’s death was confirmed in an announcement by the BBC. Lisa Clark, Gone Fishing’s executive producer and Ted’s owner, 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 Jammie Dodgers from Bob and bait from Paul.”

Clark, who rescued Ted from a dog’s home in Surrey in 2013 when he was about six months old, added: “He will be sorely missed at home and on screen. We’ll never forget him. He is survived at home by Bo the briard.”

In a statement, Mortimer said: “So very, very sad. Lovely Ted, the best companion and the greatest little chum. Going to miss him so much … and away, boss.”

Whitehouse added: “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 will appear for the final time in the forthcoming ninth series of Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, due to air later this year. Ted released a book, A Pawtobiography, in 2024, which became a Sunday Times bestseller.