Bob Mortimer has cancelled the first leg of his and Vic Reeves UK tour after undergoing a triple heart bypass operation.

Bob Mortimer

Bob Mortimer

The 56-year-old comedian has been forced to cancel the entire first leg of his and his comedy partner's '25 Years of Reeves and Mortimer: The Poignant Moments' tour so that he can properly recover from the surgery.

Bob's spokesman Neil Reading said: "Bob would like to thank his consultant and all the nursing staff at the hospital for looking after him so well.

"He now needs several weeks to fully recover, so unfortunately the first leg of the UK tour will be cancelled.

"Bob very much hopes to be fit and well enough to perform the second leg in January next year."

Reeves added: "I'm so pleased the operation has gone well and Bob is fixed. Many thanks to the surgeon."

The duo - who starred in a number of shows together including 'Shooting Stars' and 'Randall & Hopkirk' - were set to kick off the tour in Glasgow next month with performances also scheduled for Newcastle and Liverpool.

All ticket holders for performances from November 8 to December 4 are advised to contact their point of purchase for a refund.

It's hoped Bob will have recovered in time for the January and February 2016 shows to go ahead.