Gone Christmas Fishing is an hour-long festive special following Bob Mortimer as he returns to his childhood roots in Middlesbrough to fish the Rivers Esk and Tees with his dear friend and angling mentor Paul Whitehouse.

As well as trying to catch the glorious grayling, Bob also attempts to ignite the joy of Christmas in Paul, who thinks the magic of the season has been long lost to commercialism.

Bob helps to cook a memorable turkey dinner with all the trimmings and hosts their office party for two, featuring a special guest appearance by a secret Santa who has a rather familiar face.

Together they chat to a fellow Middlesbrough lad, singer Chris Rea, about his unique memories of yuletide, before he drives home for Christmas.

They stay in fishermen’s cottages in the beautiful harbour village of Staithes and take to the North Sea to see what they can catch, before moving further north to stay in a very magical place on the moors.

Will Paul finally begin to see the pleasure of Christmas through Bob’s eyes? A big surprise at the end of the programme could guarantee it! Show less