British comedy performer Bob Mortimer has been forced to cancel a significant part of his upcoming UK tour alongside his long-term professional partner Vic Reeves, after he underwent a triple bypass heart operation earlier this week.

56 year old Mortimer, one half of ‘Vic and Bob’, had been due to perform in Glasgow in early November to kick off the ’25 Years of Reeves & Mortimer: the Poignant Moments’ tour. However, the initial run of engagements from November 8th to December 4th have been cancelled, with no news yet as to any potential rearrangements.

The performer’s spokesman, Neil Reading, gave a statement on Wednesday (October 28th) alongside the news of the operation. “Bob would like to thank his consultant and all the nursing staff at the hospital for looking after him so well. He now needs several weeks to fully recover, so unfortunately the first leg of the UK tour will be cancelled.”

Vic Reeves Bob MortimerVic Reeves (l) and Bob Mortimer (r)

Ticketholders for the shows in question are advised to contact the point of purchase for refunds. “Bob very much hopes to be fit and well enough to perform the second leg in January next year.”

Also giving his reaction, Mortimer’s creative foil Reeves said: “I'm so pleased the operation has gone well and Bob is fixed. Many thanks to the surgeon.”

The pair have been responsible for some of the most memorable and downright bizarre British comedy of the recent past, helping launch the careers of the likes of Matt Lucas and David Walliams when they worked with them on ‘Shooting Stars’ and ‘Bang Bang It’s Reeves & Mortimer’.

The tour had been expected to mix elements of all of the shows they had been involved with down the years, including their recent series ‘House of Fools’ whose second season aired in January 2015.

When the 25th anniversary tour was announced earlier this year, Mortimer had said: “Playing in front of a living audience is where it all began for us… …I will ensure that Vic arrives at all dates smartly dressed and unarmed. I promise not to mention football, JLS or apricots during the performances. Should you choose to attend, be warned - I will be not be wearing a toupee.”

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