Paul Whitehouse fights off alleged mugger on Essex Road in Islington
The comedian’s wife said he recovered his bank card after it was snatched at a cashpoint while he was out buying her medicine.
Paul Whitehouse fought back during an alleged mugging on Essex Road in Islington, north London, his wife Dr Mine Conkbayir said. She said a man snatched the comedian’s bank card at a cashpoint beside a Sainsbury’s Local on Friday night, but Whitehouse retrieved it and the alleged assailant left empty-handed.
Whitehouse, 68, had gone out to buy medicine for Conkbayir after she said she had felt unwell following a reaction to treatment. She shared details of the incident on Instagram, saying she wanted to raise awareness and encourage people to stay alert when out and about.
What his wife said happened
Conkbayir said Whitehouse was using the cashpoint when his card was taken. She wrote that he fought back and got it back, while the other person fled. Her account did not describe any injuries or say whether there had been a physical struggle beyond Whitehouse retrieving the card.
She said she had initially kept quiet, but later asked Whitehouse whether she could post about the incident. He agreed, she said, because he hoped it would help people be more aware of their surroundings. Conkbayir described the episode as a frightening start to the weekend.
What is not yet known
Conkbayir did not say whether the incident had been reported to police, and her post gave no information about an arrest or an investigation. The identity of the person who allegedly took the card has not been announced. Whitehouse is known for the BBC series Gone Fishing, in which he appears with comedian Bob Mortimer.
This report draws on information from The Standard.
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