Comic pair Paul and Bob have “Gone Fishing” at Bemersyde

They kick off the third series of their critically-acclamed show at the Borders estate, near Melrose.

With Fast Show star Paul taking on the role of fishing guru, and Vic Reeves’ sidekick Bob in charge of cooking the duo “heart-healthy” meals, the programme was an instant hit.

Whether or not Bob manages to land his first salmon – a rite of passage for any angler which has eluded him in the first couple of series – or not is wrapped in secrecy, so you’ll need to tune in at 8pm on Sunday night on BBC2 to find out.

They were joined on their day out on the Tweed by Bemersyde ghillie Ian Farr, who said: “It was great fun having gone fishing filmed at Bemersyde. Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse were absolutely friendly and the Tweed was looking terrific that day.

“The crew said that one of the great things about making the programme is all the beautiful places they get to visit.

“I understand that it’s a very exciting episode, although obviously I can’t give anything away.

“Gone Fishing is about the joy of fishing and how good it is for body and soul.

“Often people come to Bemersyde quite knotted and stressed, but a day on the river calms them down.”

The duo also had a stint at the Bridge Pool in Kelso the following day.

Paul and Bob have both had heart problems in recent years, and their chats switch from the serious to the light-hearted, to good-humoured teasing, with a bit of actual fishing thrown in for good measure of course.

A production spokesperson said of this first episode: “Paul and Bob start their search for a so-called ‘bar of silver’ surrounded by banks of lush tall trees at the Bemersyde Estate, a place where it’s easy to forget the outside world and do nothing but put all your concentration into fishing.

“Paul is intent on catching, and Bob is hopeful that his angling skills have improved since last time, but whether this is enough for them to hook a salmon is anyone’s guess.”

“After a night in some beautifully renovated traditional roulottes rounded off with a campfire supper cooked by Bob, the next morning Paul gets some mystical predictions from a familiar character.”