Just A Minute

Nicholas Parsons hosts a new series of the long-running panel show. Paul Merton, Rufus Hound, Graham Norton and Pam Ayres attempt to talk without deviation, hesitation or repetition on topics including Optimism, Humble Pie and The Isle of Man.

This episode - the 865th instalment of the show - sees Paul Merton clock up his 347th appearance, thus overtaking legendary player of the game Kenneth Williams and becoming the second most featured panellist on the show.

Paul Merton says: "Having over taken Kenneth Williams' total number of appearances on Just A Minute I would like to say without hesitation, deviation or repetition that I am amazed, astonished, thrilled, seasick and severely gobsmacked."

Clement Freud, who appeared regularly on the show from the very first episode in 1967 until his death in 2009 retains top position with 544 episodes to his name. It will take a while for anyone to catch up with him, as that is a whole 32 series worth of appearances.

Sioned Wiliam, Radio 4 Commissioning Editor for Comedy, says: "Paul has well and truly joined the pantheon of the all-time great players of Just A Minute with his brilliant flights of fancy and sparkling wit. And it will only take him another decade to overtake the phenomenon that was Clement Freud..."

Host Nicholas Parsons adds: "Paul Merton is one of the outstanding players of Just A Minute. Since his first appearance in 1989, he has been consistently amusing, clever and witty at playing this amazingly difficult game. He is also a very generous player. He is more concerned with contributing and making sure we have a good show than striving to win and impose his personality on the programme - though he does frequently finish up with the most points!

"His occasional verbal excursions when he takes a subject into the realms of fantasy are delightfully surreal moments in the show. His contribution over the years has been consistent and amazing and it is always a pleasure when he is part of the team. He deserves the record he has achieved and long may he be around to improve on it and give more pleasure to the thousands who tune in regularly to hear him playing Just A Minute."