Who is Paul Merton? Team captain on Have I Got News For You, comedian and radio presenter

The show that promises to bring you all the top stories and latest headlines of the week. Here is the lowdown on the acerbic team captain…

Who is Paul Merton?

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

The 60-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.

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.

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

The BAFTA Award-winning show has aired a whopping 446 episodes since it first aired in 1990.

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.

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.

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