Funny business

Who is Paul Merton? Have I Got News For You star’s age, wife and career

PAUL Merton has been making viewers scream with laughter for countless series of Have I Got News for You, the show that promises to lampoon all the top stories and latest headlines of the week.

Let's get the lowdown on the acerbic team captain...

Advertisement
Fans will be pleased to know that Paul Merton will be returning for the latest HIGNFY seriesCredit: PA:Press Association

Who is Paul Merton?

Comedian Paul is known for his deadpan humour and impressive improvisation skills.

The 62-year-old Londoner has been making audiences laugh with his jokes for more than 35 years.

Paul’s first big break was in 1982, where he kept everyone entertained at the Comedy Store in Soho.

The Edinburgh Comedy Festival regular also often performs with The Comedy Store Players.

Advertisement

Is Paul Merton's married and does he have children?

Paul has been married three times; he divorced his first wife Caroline Quentin, who he married in 1990, in 1998 after announcing their separation in April 1997.

In 2000, he unofficially married second wife Sarah Parkinson in the Maldives before making it official in 2003.

Sadly, she passed away from breast cancer on September 23, 2003.

He has been married to third wife Suki Website since 2009.

Advertisement

Paul has no children and once said that having children was never a “big desire” as he admitted he likes it “when they go away”.

“When I started off wanting to be a comedian in the late 70s, it was a very strange ambition to have, akin to being a deep-sea diver or astronaut,” he told Radio Times.

What is Have I Got News for You all about?

Have I Got News for You is a popular British panel show that takes a satirical look at the news of the week.

There’s also a quizzing element to the show, as two teams compete to fill everyone in on recent headlines and scandal.

Advertisement

Every week, celebrity guests join Paul Merton and Ian Hislop on their panels.

Dynamic duo Ian and Paul are bound to get the British public chuckling with their witty quipsCredit: BBC Handout

 

The panel show has been broadcast for around 26 years... and it still remains a popularCredit: BBC
Advertisement

What other TV shows has Paul Merton been on?

The British Comedy Award-winner’s TV breakthrough was in 1988, when he had a regular spot on improv comedy show Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Since then, he has made countless telly appearances, including on Room 101 and The One Show.

Paul has also acted in Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle, One Foot in the Grave and Terry and Julian.

He has also appeared on Who Do You Think You Are?

Advertisement

In it he delves into his family's past, including the life of his grandfather, who was said to have died at sea.

Most Read in TV & Showbiz

NEW SIDE
Coleen Rooney reveals Wayne's 'new job' after axe from football club
MIXING IT UP
Jade Thirlwall reveals moment she realised boyfriend was keeper after meltdown
WORKING IT OUT
Jac Jossa spotted without wedding ring after denying marriage troubles
STOP RIGHT NOW
Emma Bunton fuels Spice Girls feud rumours & ignores Geri's birthday message

What other exciting projects has Paul Merton worked on?

Paul Merton has worked as a radio host since the late 1980s.

He has featured on The Big Fun Show, Just and Minute and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue.

As well as starring on television, Paul has proven himself as a talented comedy writer.

Advertisement

He penned Thank God You’re Here, Paul Merton’s Life of Comedy and The Smith and Jones Sketchbook.

Have I Got News For You returns for its 53rd series with Ian Hislop and Paul Merton
Topics
Advertisement
machibet777.com