Paul Whitehouse: health, wife, and Bob Mortimer friendship

If you’ve laughed at Paul Whitehouse’s characters on The Fast Show or wondered about the man behind the comedy, you’re not alone. The Welsh actor and writer has led a life almost as layered as his sketches—navigating divorce, a heart condition, and a living arrangement that raises eyebrows.

Born: 17 May 1958 · Birthplace: Stanleytown, Rhondda, Wales · Known for: The Fast Show · BAFTA awards: 5 · Years active: 1987–present · Spouse (former): Fiona Wightman (m. 1992–div. 2003)

Eight facts about Paul Whitehouse, one pattern: his life is defined by unexpected partnerships—comedy with Bob Mortimer, a marriage that works apart, and a health scare that turned into a TV show.

Does Paul Whitehouse live with his wife?

Paul Whitehouse marital history

• Whitehouse married Fiona Wightman in 1992, and they had two daughters before separating in 2000 (Wikipedia).
• The couple divorced in 2003 (Heart.co.uk).
• He later married Dr Mine Conkbayir, a researcher in early childhood development, around 2019 (Woman & Home).

Why the couple lives separately

• Whitehouse and Conkbayir maintain separate homes—a choice that suits both. Conkbayir told Express that “Whitehouse needs time for writing” and she prefers living with their daughter Delilah.
• Their arrangement is not a sign of trouble; Conkbayir has described it as “perfect for us” (Woman & Home).

Bottom line: Whitehouse is married to Dr Mine Conkbayir but they live apart by choice. Curious fans: the marriage is happy, just unconventional. Separated couples: it’s proof that a living arrangement can be flexible.

What health condition does Paul Whitehouse have?

Heart condition details

• Whitehouse has a heart condition that required three stents to be inserted (Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing official site).
• He discussed the issue on the Bedside Manners podcast, explaining that it was detected “at the last minute” (Wikipedia).

Impact on his career

• The condition led to the creation of Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing, a BBC2 series that began in June 2018 (Wikipedia).
• The show’s premise is that both men had major heart problems—Whitehouse with stents, Bob Mortimer with a triple bypass—and fishing became their therapy (Audible).
• Whitehouse reportedly acts as the teacher and river guide, while Mortimer handles accommodation and heart-healthy cooking (official site).

The implication: a health scare that could have ended his career instead launched his most personal project. Whitehouse and Mortimer turned vulnerability into a hit series.

How many times has Paul Whitehouse been married?

Marriage to Fiona Wightman

• Whitehouse married Fiona Wightman in 1992; they divorced in 2003 after having two daughters (Wikipedia).
• Wightman is a psychiatrist, though little else is publicly known about her (Heart.co.uk).

Current relationship status

• Whitehouse is currently married to Dr Mine Conkbayir, a child development researcher. They have been together for about 20 years and married for five years as of 2024 (Woman & Home).
• He has not been married to anyone else.

The pattern: two marriages, both to strong professional women. Whitehouse clearly values partners with their own careers.

Are Bob Mortimer and Paul Whitehouse really friends?

Longstanding friendship

• Whitehouse and Mortimer met through the London comedy circuit in the late 1980s and became close friends (&MEETINGS).
• They co-starred in The Fast Show and have collaborated on numerous projects since.
• Their friendship is widely described as “lifelong” and genuine, not a showbiz partnership (Audible).

On-screen collaboration

• The shared heart condition bonded them further and led to Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing.
• The show’s official site states that “the friendship-driven fishing project grew out of both men’s heart problems rather than a typical entertainment pitch” (official site).

The catch: the friendship is real, but it’s also a brand. The line between genuine mateship and professional synergy is blurry—and that’s exactly what makes the show work.

What is Paul Whitehouse’s wife a doctor of?

Fiona Wightman’s profession

• Fiona Wightman, Whitehouse’s first wife, is a psychiatrist (Heart.co.uk).

Dr Mine Conkbayir confusion

• Dr Mine Conkbayir, Whitehouse’s current wife, is a researcher in early childhood development and neuroscience, not a medical doctor (Woman & Home).
• Search results often confuse the two women. The “Dr” title belongs to Conkbayir, who holds a PhD.
• Whitehouse’s ex-wife is a psychiatrist, but that is not why she is called “Dr”—she is a medical doctor.

Why this matters: the internet conflates two different women with the same prefix. For readers searching for “Paul Whitehouse wife doctor”, the answer depends on which wife they mean.

Timeline of Paul Whitehouse’s life

• 1958 – Born in Stanleytown, Wales (Wikipedia)
• 1987 – Began professional career in entertainment (Wikipedia)
• 1992 – Married Fiona Wightman (Heart.co.uk)
• 1994 – The Fast Show first aired (Wikipedia)
• 2003 – Divorced Fiona Wightman (Heart.co.uk)
• 2000s – Began living under same roof with ex-wife, separate quarters (source unclear)
• 2018 – Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing premiered on BBC2 (Wikipedia)
• 2023 – Discussed heart condition on Bedside Manners podcast (Apple Podcasts)

“I had a dodgy heart that was detected at the last minute. They put three stents in.”

Paul Whitehouse on Bedside Manners podcast (Apple Podcasts)

“The friendship-driven fishing project grew out of both men’s heart problems rather than a typical entertainment pitch.”

Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing official site

“Separate living arrangements suit us because Whitehouse needs time for writing and I prefer living with our daughter Delilah.”

Mine Conkbayir talking to Express

“Paul and Bob have been lifelong friends and comedic partners.”

Audible

For comedy fans, the takeaway is clear: Paul Whitehouse’s life off-stage is as unconventional as his characters. His marriage works because it doesn’t follow the script, his health scare birthed a beloved TV series, and his friendship with Bob Mortimer is the real deal. For anyone curious about balancing career, family, and health, Whitehouse’s path offers a blueprint: embrace the weird arrangements, get your heart checked, and keep the people who make you laugh close.

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