Bob Mortimer reveals he had quickie marriage half an hour before bypass surgery
COMEDIAN Bob Mortimer raced to say "I do" with his partner of 22 years, only minutes before a triple bypass operation.
Bob Mortimer had a quickie marriage to his partner of 22 years
The 56-year-old funnyman had feared the worst and wanted to make things official with long-time love Lisa Matthews, should he not recover after surgery.
But it almost wasn't meant to be, when the star and his fiancée were told that they needed 21 days notice to tie the knot, and special permission to make it happen sooner.
Speaking about the rushed affair, which took place in October, 2015, he said: "I found out I couldn't get married to Lisa because you have to give 21 days notice or something.
"My consultant said I was incredibly ill, so the registrar in London gave me permission to get married on the Monday."
The comedian had a will drawn up and made the special arrangements to marry
25 Years Of Reeves & Mortimer: The Poignant Moments tour is set to go ahead from 30 January
He added: "So I got married at 9.30am on the Monday, and went to hospital at 10am to have my operation."
The comedian, who is one half of double act Reeves and Mortimer, was told last autumn that his arteries were 95% blocked.
Before going into surgery he drew up a will, ensuring his family would be looked after.
The only guests at the wedding were the couple's two children, Harry and Tom, so Mortimer's comedy partner Vic Reeves did not get a chance to be his best man.
The comedy duo have been making audiences laugh for 25 years
Their recent tour was cancelled due to Bob's health scare, but it is back on track
After a speedy recovery, the 25 Years Of Reeves & Mortimer: The Poignant Moments tour is set to go ahead from 30 January.
Speaking at a photocall for the tour in London today, Bob said: "I feel fine. We're doing a little warm-up show on Saturday ... If I don't drop we'll be fine."
He continued: "I've just redone all my tests and they said if I was a builder or a scaffolder I would be absolutely fine to do it. And we don't do anything like heavy labour in the show."