Bob Fleming is 'offensive to Covid sufferers'

Why BBC blocked character's reunion with Paul Whitehouse

The BBC blocked a TV comeback for Fast Show character Bob Fleming - for fear his constant coughing might be offensive to Covid sufferers.

Comedian Charlie Higson recreated his role for a reunion sketch with Paul Whitehouse last year, but the scene was cut by nervous executives.

The skit was recorded for Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, with the genial character stumbling across Whitehouse and his pal Bob Mortimer as they recorded their hit angling series on a riverbank.

A production source told The Mail on Sunday: ‘A decision was taken to drop the sketch. It is important to remember Covid was really rampant at the time.

'A lot of viewers would have found the sight of a man persistently coughing unfunny and upsetting. It was very disappointing as the whole production were thrilled to have Charlie Higson join them on location. Under the circumstances, it was the right decision.’

Higson revealed the scene had been shot, and cut, during an interview at the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival in Harrogate

According to the Sunday Express, he said: 'Oh yes, it’s lovely. I actually went up to their Christmas special last year. I went up and we did a bit where they meet Bob Fleming on the riverbank fishing, and it was great fun but the BBC said they had to cut it out because of Covid.

'They said it’s disrespectful of anyone who had lost a relative because of the coughing, but I don’t know.'

The BBC declined to comment on the story.