Paul Whitehouse was mugged at a cash machine in Islington on Friday, but the 68-year-old comedian managed to fight back and keep his card. The attacker fled empty-handed, leaving the veteran actor unharmed but shaken.
It’s a stark reminder that crime doesn’t care about your fame or your age. For many, a trip to the shops is routine; for Whitehouse, it turned into a physical confrontation in the middle of the day.
Card Stolen? No
His wife, Dr Mine Conkbayir, broke the news on Instagram. Whitehouse had gone out to pick up medication for her after a bad reaction to treatment. He was at a machine behind a Sainsbury’s when the incident occurred. “He did fight back and retrieved his card, with the perp scuttling away empty-handed,” she wrote. She urged followers to be “super vigilant,” calling the event a “horrid start to the weekend.”
Fans React
The post triggered an immediate wave of support. Fellow comedian Dawn French commented that the attack was “utterly not okay.” Angela Barnes added that it was a “horrible thing to happen,” sending love to the couple. The outpouring of sympathy highlights how rare it is to see such a public figure targeted in such a mundane setting.
More Than Just Comedy
Whitehouse is best known for his role in *Gone Fishing*, the BBC Two series he presents with Bob Mortimer. The show has been nominated for a Bafta TV award six times. He is also set to appear in HBO’s upcoming *Harry Potter* series as Argus Filch. While the physical danger is over, the incident underscores a rising trend of street crime in London. Police have not yet confirmed if they have identified the suspect, but the case remains active. For now, Whitehouse is recovering, and the internet is watching.
Source: BBC UK
This article was compiled by the IndiaBBCNews editorial system from verified international news sources. Facts have been independently reviewed. Original reporting: BBC UK.
