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TRACKS OF MY YEARS - BOB MORTIMER (320kbs-m4a/131mb/57mins)
BBC Radio 2 broadcast: 15th March 2026
Comedian and writer Bob Mortimer joins Vernon to select his Tracks Of My Years - with an in-depth conversation about his life and choosing ten songs which have soundtracked that time so far.
Born in 1959 and growing up in Middlesbrough, Bob says he was very shy for much of his childhood, and it wasn't until he moved to London and met Jim Moir (aka Vic Reeves) that he got into comedy. The two formed a beloved double act, with shows like Vic Reeves Big Night Out and Shooting Stars to name just a few. In more recent years, he's starred in Gone Fishing with Paul Whitehouse, Taskmaster and had show-stealing appearances in Would I Lie To You. This month, he's returning as defending champion for the second series of Last One Laughing UK on Prime Video, with a new cast including Romesh Ranganathan, Mel Giedroyc, Alan Carr & Diane Morgan.
A BBC Audio production for BBC Radio 2.
The Tams - Hey Girl Don't Bother Me [Connoisseur Collection]
Cream - Sunshine Of Your Love [Polydor]
The Beatles - Rocky Raccoon [UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)]
Steely Dan - Only A Fool Would Say That [UMC (Universal Music Catalogue)]
Free - My Brother Jake [Spectrum]
Faces - Ooh La La [Virgin]
Janet Jackson - When I Think Of You [A&M]
Vic Reeves & The Wonder Stuff - Dizzy [EMI]
Squeeze - Some Fantastic Place [EMI]
Pulp - Babies [Island]
Fatboy Slim - The Rockafeller Skank [Skint]
Led Zeppelin - Ramble On [Atlantic]
DESERT ISLAND DISCS: BOB MORTIMER (320kbs-m4a/98mb/42mins)
BBC Radio 4 broadcast: 3rd February 2019
Bob Mortimer is a comedian best known for his work with his comedy partner Vic Reeves.
For 30 years, he and Vic have appeared in numerous TV series together, including Vic Reeves’ Big Night Out, Shooting Stars and The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer. Bob first saw Vic performing in a south London pub: Vic was wearing a Bryan Ferry mask while trying to tap dance with wooden planks strapped to his feet. Bob found this hugely entertaining, and began to take part in Vic’s shows.
Bob was born in 1959 in Middlesbrough, the youngest of four boys. His father died in a car crash when he was seven and Bob says he became his mother’s little helper – although he also set fire to their house after playing with fireworks. As a teenager he dreamed of a career as a footballer, but he ended up studying law at university, and worked as a solicitor in south London.
In 2015 Bob underwent triple heart bypass surgery. After this – in a rare diversion from working with Vic – he accepted an invitation from fellow comedian Paul Whitehouse to get out of the house and go fishing, which led to a successful TV series, Mortimer and Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.
Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Sarah Taylor
Ralph Vaughan Williams - A Sea Symphony (Symphony No. 1) [Teldec]
Free - On My Way [Universal/Island]
Joni Mitchell - Down To You [Warner Music UK]
Madness - It Must Be Love [Stiff]
The Who - The Punk And The Godfather [Polydor]
The Beautiful South - Hot On The Heels Of Heartbreak [Mercury]
Squeeze - Some Fantastic Place [Mercury]
Kings Of Leon - King Of The Rodeo [Sony]
