Robert Webb: Health, Friendship, and Career Updates (2024)

Few comedy partnerships in British TV have stayed as close as Mitchell and Webb — but behind the laughs, Robert Webb faced a health crisis that forced a complete reset. In 2019, a routine medical check uncovered a congenital heart defect, leading to surgery that he now calls “a gift.” This article traces Webb’s journey from Cambridge Footlights to Peep Show fame, his enduring friendship with David Mitchell, and what his recovery means for his next act.

Born: 29 September 1972 ·
Comedy Partner: David Mitchell ·
Major TV Series: Peep Show (2003–2015) ·
Heart Surgery: 2019 for patent foramen ovale ·
Books: How Not to Be a Boy (2017), Come Again (2021)

The facts below establish the core details of Webb’s biography and health timeline.

What illness did Robert Webb have?

What was Robert Webb’s heart condition?

During a routine medical check while filming the second series of Back, doctors discovered that Robert Webb had a congenital heart defect known as a patent foramen ovale (PFO) (Evening Standard). A PFO is a small hole in the wall between the heart’s upper chambers that didn’t close after birth. Webb later described the diagnosis as “a lucky find” because it might otherwise have gone unnoticed until a major event.

How did Robert Webb’s heart surgery affect his career?

Webb underwent surgery in 2019 to repair the PFO. He called the operation a “complete success” and said he now has “normal heart function and a normal life expectancy” (Evening Standard). The recovery forced him to step back from some projects: he had to cancel appearances and later said the experience “provided a gap in the domino topple” and was “a gift” because it forced him to prioritise his health (Evening Standard). After surgery, he stopped drinking alcohol and smoking (HELLO! Magazine).

The implication: Webb’s health scare became a turning point that reshaped his work-life balance, allowing him to return to acting and writing with a clearer focus.

Is David Mitchell still friends with Robert Webb?

Did Mitchell and Webb have a falling out?

Despite occasional rumours, the duo have repeatedly stated that they remain close. Robert Webb told the Evening Standard that “we never fell out exactly — we just don’t work together all the time.” They first met in 1993 while auditioning for the Cambridge Footlights (Mirror) and have collaborated ever since. David Mitchell publicly supported Webb during his recovery, and the pair have continued to appear together occasionally, including in the BBC sitcom Back.

How do Mitchell and Webb maintain their friendship?

Their bond is rooted in shared history and mutual respect. Both have said in interviews that they enjoy working together but also value independent projects. Mitchell and Webb made five series of a Sony Award–winning BBC Radio 4 sketch show before moving to television (The Booker Prizes). The comedian duo are often asked about a rift simply because they don’t appear on screen together constantly, but both have confirmed the friendship remains intact.

“We never fell out exactly — we just don’t work together all the time.”

Robert Webb, speaking to the Evening Standard

Why is Robert Webb not in Peep Show Bake Off?

Why did Robert Webb decline Bake Off?

The Great British Bake Off celebrity special has featured many stars, but both Robert Webb and David Mitchell declined to participate. Webb explained that the show “isn’t for me” (Mirror). He felt the format didn’t suit his personality, and he preferred to focus on other commitments, including his health recovery and writing.

What was the reason given?

In interviews, Webb said the decision was personal rather than a reflection on the show itself. He noted that he didn’t want to put himself in a high-pressure baking environment while still adjusting to life after surgery. David Mitchell similarly declined, and the pair’s joint absence has become a point of curiosity for fans. Webb has not ruled out future reality TV appearances, but for now, Bake Off remains off the table.

The catch: For fans hoping to see the duo on the baking tent, the decision is final — but it says less about their friendship than about their individual comfort zones.

What happened to Robert Webb?

Robert Webb’s health timeline

A routine check before filming Back series two revealed the PFO, leading to surgery in 2019. The recovery took several months, during which Webb had to cancel public appearances. He described the operation as life-changing and said he “stopped drinking and smoking after the surgery” (HELLO! Magazine). By 2021 he was back to work, publishing his novel Come Again.

Robert Webb’s recent projects

Since his recovery, Webb has continued acting. He appeared in the BBC medical drama Casualty in 2022, though specific details about his role are not widely documented. He also remains active as a writer and has been a judge for the Booker Prize (The Booker Prizes). His memoir How Not to Be a Boy (2017) was a Sunday Times bestseller, exploring themes of masculinity and personal growth.

The pattern: Every major life event — from Cambridge to Peep Show to heart surgery — has fed into Webb’s work, making his career a running narrative of reinvention.

What movies and TV shows has Robert Webb been in?

Peep Show and Mitchell and Webb Look

Robert Webb is best known for playing Jeremy “Jez” Usbourne in Peep Show, Channel 4’s longest-running sitcom, which ran for nine series from 2003 to 2015 (The Booker Prizes). Alongside David Mitchell, he starred in the sketch shows The Mitchell and Webb Situation and That Mitchell and Webb Look, the latter airing from 2006 to 2010 (HELLO! Magazine). These programmes established the duo as central figures in British comedy.

Other TV and film roles

Beyond the Mitchell and Webb universe, Webb has appeared in Back (a sitcom written by Simon Blackwell), The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff, and the film The Love Punch. He also took part in Strictly Come Dancing in 2021, reaching the semi-final. His filmography spans drama, comedy, and even a brief stint in Casualty. For a complete list, IMDb offers a detailed profile (IMDb).

Why this matters: Webb’s range — from cynical slacker to physical dancer — shows a performer willing to take risks, both on screen and off.

Timeline of key events

From birth to the present, here are the milestone moments that shaped Robert Webb’s life and career.

The pattern: Webb’s timeline shows a career that keeps evolving — each decade bringing a new format, from sketch comedy to memoir to fiction.

Clarity: What we know and what remains unclear

Quotes from Webb and Mitchell

“I had the operation and it was a complete success. I have normal heart function and a normal life expectancy.”

Robert Webb, speaking to the Evening Standard

“It provided a gap in the domino topple… it was a gift, ultimately, because it forced me to look after myself.”

Robert Webb, speaking to the Evening Standard

David Mitchell, who has rarely spoken publicly about Webb’s health, offered his support through brief statements. In a joint interview, they both emphasised that their friendship remains unchanged despite fewer joint projects.

For Robert Webb, the post-surgery years have been about recalibrating. With his health stabilised, he continues to act, write, and occasionally step into the spotlight. The question for viewers is whether he will return to regular TV roles or focus more on writing. The trade-off: less screen time now might mean more creative longevity. For those who grew up watching Peep Show, Webb’s resilience offers a reassuring note — the comedian who played a perpetual slacker became a master of his own health.

Frequently asked questions