Paul Merton new host of ITV blooper show

Paul Merton is to continue his relationship with ITV by taking over the presenting duties on the network's long-running bloopers show, It'll Be Alright On The Night.

The comedian, who presented the new improv comedy show Thank God You're Here for ITV earlier in the year, will be stepping into Denis Norden's shoes when he films the links for It'll Be Alright on the Night 21 later this year.

Norden has presented all previous editions of the show since it was first broadcast 31 years ago, however he announced his retirement two years ago, aged 84. The veteran presenter's last show was It'll Be Alright on the Night 20, which was broadcast in March 2006.

When it hit the screen in 1977, It'll Be Alright On The Night was the first programme to reveal to viewers the amusing blunders and behind-the-scenes mistakes from their favourite ITV shows.

The once-a-year, hour long It'll Be Alright On The Night specials have always followed a simple format - namely Norden, with clipboard in hand, introducing batches of clips in humourous ways. Previous editions of the show have brought ITV huge audiences, and considering it is just a small cost to outlay for an hour's prime-time television, it is perhaps of little surprise to hear ITV is now looking to resume production on this show.

A 'TV Insider' told The Sun: "While it often only aired once a year, Alright On The Night was one of ITV's highest rating shows. We want to bring it back and Paul has agreed to do it."

ITV also broadcasts TV's Naughtiest Blunders from time-to-time, with Men Behaving Badly actor Neil Morrissey providing the voice-over for this more adult version of the blooper show.