Lee Mack slammed by fans for refusing to use fishing hook on TV show Gone Fishing

Lee Mack, renowned comedian and last-minute stand-in for Bob Mortimer on the popular TV show “Gone Fishing,” has found himself at the center of controversy as he refused to use a fishing hook due to his strong vegan beliefs. The decision left some fans irate, while others applauded his unique approach to the program.

Lee Mack, aged 55, stepped into the spotlight after Bob Mortimer fell ill with shingles, preventing him from joining Paul Whitehouse on their fishing expedition to Burgh Island in Devon, a crucial part of the “Gone Fishing” series. While Lee seemed like a fitting replacement, things took an unexpected turn when he opted to utilize a magnet instead of a traditional fishing hook, citing his vegan lifestyle as the reason.

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Viewers of the beloved BBC2 show witnessed an interesting exchange between Paul and Lee when the topic of fishing arose. Paul asked, “Should we go and have a fish?” Lee replied with a candid revelation, saying, “This is why I was worried about doing it when Bob asked me to come, I don’t fish. And when I say ‘I don’t fish,’ I don’t mean, ‘I can’t fish – teach me, grasshopper.’ I mean, I won’t fish; I’m a vegan.”

Paul’s response was tinged with humor and curiosity as he asked if Bob had been aware of Lee’s vegan stance when recommending him for the show. Lee’s reply, however, did not sit well with some fans, leading to a wave of criticism.

One viewer expressed their bewilderment by questioning, “Does Lee Mack just say yes to everything? Why go on a fishing program if you’re vegan and don’t fish?” Another viewer chimed in, stating, “I’ve nothing against Lee Mack, but he wasn’t right for #gonefishing. Why have someone that doesn’t fish? I really hope that Bob recovered in time for the last episode.” In jest, a third viewer commented, “Asking Lee Mack onto #GoneFishing, but refusing to fish (Vegan), is a bit like asking Kate Moss to host Man v Food.”

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A fourth viewer added, “Is Lee Mack a vegan? He should have mentioned it. Why go on a fishing program if you refuse to fish? It’s like going on Mastermind and refusing to answer questions.” One particularly disappointed fan expressed their frustration by stating, “Turned off #gonefishing. @LeeMack shouldn’t have gone on if he is vegan and refuses to fish. He’s just being annoying with his magnet ‘fishing.’ I would have rather they missed an episode, to be honest, than replace Bob. Get well soon, Bob. We’ll wait for you.”

However, amidst the criticism, there were viewers who praised Lee for his appearance on the show. One viewer remarked, “We loved Lee Mack on #gonefishing tonight. Very clever to show how to substitute for a vegan, a pastime that is more than fishing, chatting, good humor, peace and quiet, per substitute for Bob tonight.” Another fan chimed in, saying, “It was a shame @RealBobMortimer couldn’t be there for last night’s episode of #gonefishing, but Lee Mack wasn’t a bad substitution. Funny guy.” A third viewer defended Lee’s choice, saying, “I’m a vegan. I love Lee Mack. If he wants to go on a fishing show and talk about being a vegan LET HIM. Y’know. Free speech and all that. He injected a different perspective which clearly made a lot of people uncomfortable. That’s what a good vegan does.”

In summary, Lee Mack’s decision to abstain from using a fishing hook on “Gone Fishing” due to his vegan principles has ignited a passionate debate among viewers. Some criticize his participation on a fishing show as a vegan who won’t fish, while others appreciate the fresh perspective he brings to the program, sparking a lively conversation about his role on the show.