Bob Mortimer married partner Lisa Matthews 30 minutes before heart surgery

Tied the knot: Bob Mortimer wed his long-term partner ahead of his heart surgery
Steve Meddle/ITV/REX
Jennifer Ruby13 January 2016
The Weekender

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Bob Mortimer has revealed that he married his partner of 22 years just half an hour before his heart bypass surgery.

The comedian, who is about to go back on tour with Vic Reeves, tied the knot with long-term girlfriend Lisa Matthews 30 minutes ahead of his surgery back in October.

When the 56-year-old discovered that he needed an urgent triple heart bypass, he made immediate arrangements to walk down the aisle.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of the tour, Mortimer said: “I found out I needed heart surgery on the Thursday, so I made a will on the Friday.

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“Found out I couldn't get married to Lisa because you have to give 21 days’ notice.

“But my consultant said I was incredibly ill, so the registrar in London - I don't live in London - gave me permission to get married on the Monday.”

He added: “I got married at half 9 on the Monday then went into hospital for the operation at 10.”

The star was joined at the small ceremony by the couple’s two sons, Harry, 18, and Tom, 17.

“There was just me, the wife and our two kids in the registry office, that's it,” he said.

Reeves and Mortimer were due to embark on their 25 Years of Reeves & Mortimer: The Poignant Moments tour last year but had to put it on hiatus due to Mortimer’s surgery.

The tour will now kick off in Leeds on January 30.

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