Comic Paul Whitehouse bravely fought back against a thug who tried to steal his bank card at cashpoint

Comedian Paul Whitehouse bravely fought back against a thug who tried to steal his bank card while he was at a cashpoint in north London, his wife revealed.

Dr Mine Conkbayir explained on social media how her husband he had gone out to get her some medication on Friday night when the mugger tried to snatch his card behind a Sainsbury's in Islington.

She said Whitehouse, 68, had fought back and retrieved it, but was left 'frustrated'.

Dr Conkbayir wrote on Instagram: 'Well, a horrid start to the weekend, would be an understatement.

'He did fight back and retrieved his card, with the perp scuttling away empty-handed.

'But that's not the point, is it? I kept shtum, out of respect, but he just came over, having taken our daughter to our football, still frustrated.

'I asked whether he'd like me to post – he said yes – in the hope that it might help folk to be more aware. I don't mean 'to patronise, but please be super vigilant.'

Whitehouse is known for his work on The Fast Show and Gone Fishing. He will also play Hogwarts caretaker Argus Filch in the new HBO Harry Potter series.