Paul Merton

Tracey Ullman's new sketch show, much heralded as her 30-year return from stateside exile, was fine, fine, if you wanted uncanny verisimilitude when it came to Dame Judi Dench and Angela Merkel. She has done a fine job of not being 30 years out of touch with British humour, and the Dench/"national treasure" shoplifting gag wore well, for this episode at least. But there was nothing in particular to convince us we should have missed Ullman in the way in which we might have missed the exile of, say, Paul Merton or Graeme Garden.

Ruth Davidson MSP 'nervous' of HIGNFY appearance

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives has admitted she is 'terrified' at the prospect of appearing on the long-running show alongside team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, guest host Michael Sheen - who once portrayed ex-Labour prime minister Tony Blair - and comedian Jon Richardson.

TV review: Have I Got News For You, BBC1

This could have been a memorable edition of this satirical warhorse. Instead it felt a little bit snippy and Paul Merton, usually so good, did his distracted, disinterested look a few too many times.

Have I Got News For You: the best presenters and guests

Have I Got News For You has just turned 25. Captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton will return to our screens this Friday for the 50th series premiere, presented by none other than Jeremy Clarkson. Over the years a succession of guests and - following Angus Deayton's controversial sacking in 2002 - presenters have graced the show. We round up the best.

Merton sees funny side of class divide in panel shows

To the book festival, where Paul Merton was speaking about hits relationship with Ian Hislop, his rival captain on Have I Got News for You.

Paul Merton: Jimmy Savile 'too famous' to be suspected

Comedy star Paul Merton claims nobody in showbusiness believed Jimmy Savile was guilty of child abuse - because he was so well known.

Paul Merton: how comedy saved my life

As the comic brings his improv show to the Edinburgh Fringe, he talks about how comedy helped him after his second wife died.

Paul Merton: I love the Scottish crowds

He's been a stand-up for over 30 years but Paul Merton says Scottish crowds are some of the warmest in the world.

Suki Webster: Paul Merton's Impro Chums

Martin Walker talks to Paul Merton's wife, Suki Webster, about the Edinburgh Festival Fringe favourite Paul Merton's Impro Chums. Turns out that the Chums have been performing together for no less than twelve years - culminating in a gig at Hampton Court Palace to three thousand people!

BBC unveils star-studded line-up for Edinburgh Festival

An eclectic mix of great names, including Paul Merton, Joanne Harris, Jo Brand, Rory Bremner, The Proclaimers, Sylvie Guillem, Denise Mina, Imran Yusuf, Nish Kumar and Ian Rankin will star in the BBC's wide-ranging output at the Edinburgh Festivals next month.