Paul Merton

Acting

Paul Merton

Born 1957-07-09 · Parsons Green, London, England, UK

Paul James Martin, known under the stage name Paul Merton, is an English writer, actor, comedian, radio and television presenter. Known for his improvisation skill, Merton's humour is rooted in deadpan, surreal and sometimes dark comedy.

Acting credits

Amnesty International's Big 30 poster
4.0

In the tradition of the acclaimed series of British concerts known as The Secret Policemen's Ball, Amnesty International celebrates its 50th Anniversary live at Radio City Music Hall.

Amnesty International's Big 30

1991

Aladdin: The ITV Pantomime poster
9.0

A televised pantomime of Aladdin with characters played by well-known celebrities.

Aladdin: The ITV Pantomime

2000

Rex the Runt: North by North Pole poster
NR

The gang journey to the North Pole, and drill a hole to find out "What's at the center of the Earth?"

Rex the Runt: North by North Pole

1996

Hitler: The Comedy Years poster
5.0

A documentary about the portrayal of Adolf Hitler in popular culture.

Hitler: The Comedy Years

2007

Cinderella: The ITV Pantomime poster
6.7

A televised pantomime of Cinderella featuring various celebrities.

Cinderella: The ITV Pantomime

2000

Dick Whittington: The ITV Pantomime poster
8.0

An adaptation of the folktale about a lonely boy, his beloved cat, and the hard decisions that come with their adventures.

Dick Whittington: The ITV Pantomime

2002

Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute poster
9.0

One of many tributes following the death of Spike Milligan. Comedians, actors and musicians join forces to present a live tribute featuring a selection of comic highlights from Spike's life. From recreations of his most famous sketches to readings of Milligan's own poems and extracts from his controversial wartime memoirs, these are all interspersed with archive film clips of the great man himself, showcasing his inimitable comic genius.

Spike Milligan I told you I was ill... A live tribute

2002

Have I Got News for You: The Best of the Guest Presenters Volume 2 poster
NR

Over 2½ hours of the award-winning topical news quiz, featuring previously unseen footage. Team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton are joined by a different guest presenter each week.

Have I Got News for You: The Best of the Guest Presenters Volume 2

2005

Jack and the Beanstalk: The ITV Pantomime poster
7.0

A televised pantomime of Jack and the Beanstalk featuring various celebrities.

Jack and the Beanstalk: The ITV Pantomime

1998

The Fringe, Fame and Me poster
NR

The Fringe, Fame and Me is the story of how a small Scottish arts festival that began 75 years ago this year became a national institution – a crucible where new stars are forged, careers made, and sometimes, dreams dashed. Told by the stars who first found fame at the Edinburgh Fringe, this is the inside story of what it takes to make a name here, from those who enjoyed overnight success to those who slogged for years to make it. Through their triumphs, favourite jokes, and sometimes painful failures, we’ll discover a hidden history of British comedy – revealing how the gags we find funny and the comedians we love reflect our changing culture.

The Fringe, Fame and Me

2022

When Motorhoming Goes Horribly Wrong poster
NR

As demand for motorhomes soars, Paul Merton narrates this revealing look at holidays on the road - including a giant spider invasion and tourists who get wedged in a Cornish lane.

When Motorhoming Goes Horribly Wrong

2023

No artwork available
NR

Directed and animated by Run Wrake, a one minute illustration of Paul Merton's words on Sudoku commissioned by the BBC for the Radio 4 website.

Just a Minute

2009

One Foot in the Grave: Victor In The Bath poster
8.0

Victor muses about life while in the bath.

One Foot in the Grave: Victor In The Bath

1993

Frank Bough: National Treasure, National Disgrace poster
NR

Frank Bough was one of the most famous men on British TV until a series of scandalous tabloid exposés ended his career We explore the motivation that led to his fall from grace, his attempt to rebuild a career and his his ultimate ignominious end.

Frank Bough: National Treasure, National Disgrace

2023

Magical Mystery Tour Revisited poster
NR

The making of The Beatles' controversial 1967 film, featuring previously unseen archive footage.

Magical Mystery Tour Revisited

2012

An Evening with Gary Lineker poster
5.0

From their 1991 stageplay An Evening with Gary Lineker was adapted for television in 1994 by Arthur Smith and Chris England. The action takes place against the backdrop of the 1990 Football World Cup semi-final, between England and West Germany, which is taking place in Italy while Monica and Bill are on holiday in Ibiza. Bill desperately wants to watch the match; Monica wants to talk about their relationship.

An Evening with Gary Lineker

1994

Have I Got News for You: The Official Pirate Video poster
7.0

A feature-length exclusive-to-video edition of Have I Got News For You.

Have I Got News for You: The Official Pirate Video

1997

Paul Merton at the London Palladium poster
10.0

The show with the sardonic wit for which Merton is famous. Plus his hilarious salute to the ice skaters Torvill and Dean, and a comic version of the pantomime Aladdin, as never seen before. Featuring Lee Simpson and Richard Vranch.

Paul Merton at the London Palladium

1994

The Unforgettable Spike Milligan poster
NR

A documentary about comedian Spike Milligan.

The Unforgettable Spike Milligan

2010

Henry IX: The Lost King poster
NR

An immersive documentary reveals the story of a forgotten prince--Henry Frederick Stuart--who was a star of the first decade of the Stuart dynasty in the 1600s but never became king.

Henry IX: The Lost King

2017

The Very Best of 'Have I Got News for You' poster
9.0

Compilation of classic moments and unseen outtakes from the first 23 series (1990-2002) of the popular BBC comedy show.

The Very Best of 'Have I Got News for You'

2002

Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - 40th Anniversary Celebration poster
NR

The year 2006 marks the 40th anniversary of the release of "My Brother Makes The Noises For the Talkies , the first record by The Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band. On January 28th 2006 Classic Rock Productions Ltd presented a very special evening celebrating the music and achievements of the legendary Bonzos. The part of the late great and sorely missed Vivian Stanshall was performed variously by Messrs Stephen Fry, Adrian Edmondson, Phill Jupitus and Paul Merton, making this the most exciting evening since the Secret Policeman s Ball. For the first time since the group broke up in the early seventies a British stage once again resounded to the inspired flights of lunacy of the Bonzos favourites performed live. An evening dedicated to the surreal stage presentation of the highlights of the music of the Bonzos, including all of the hits, which have built a lasting musical legacy.

Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band - 40th Anniversary Celebration

2006

Trials and Tribulations poster
NR

A retrospective of Colin Baker's turbulent three-years as the Sixth Doctor in Doctor Who (1963), covering his casting, the 1985 hiatus, and his sacking on the orders of BBC One controller Michael Grade.

Trials and Tribulations

2008

Have I Got News for You: The Best of the Guest Presenters poster
NR

More than 160 minutes of the best moments from the top TV comedy news quiz, with a different guest presenter in the chair each week. Includes the uproarious episode hosted by Boris Johnson together with specially extended versions of the shows presented by Martin Clunes, William Hague, and Bruce Forsyth.

Have I Got News for You: The Best of the Guest Presenters

2003

Behind the camera

Paul Merton Looks at Alfred Hitchcock poster
NR

Paul Merton looks at the British films of Alfred Hitchcock, the silent films and the early sound films.

Paul Merton Looks at Alfred Hitchcock

2009

The Suicidal Dog poster
8.0

Steve is married and has a dog who seems to not be enjoying life. Steve is unaware of his wife's boredom with their monotonous life. Steve and his wife get a little fun when they decide to go to the fair. Whilst he is having fun, his wife and dog turn against him.

The Suicidal Dog

2000

Paul Merton's Weird and Wonderful World of Early Cinema poster
7.0

Paul Merton goes in search of the origins of screen comedy in the forgotten world of silent cinema - not in Hollywood, but closer to home in pre-1914 Britain and France. Revealing the unknown stars and lost masterpieces, he brings to life the pioneering techniques and optical inventiveness of the virtuosos who mastered a new art form. With a playful eye and comic sense of timing, Merton combines the role of presenter and director to recreate the weird and wonderful world that is early European cinema in a series of cinematic experiments of his own.

Paul Merton's Weird and Wonderful World of Early Cinema

2010

Paul Merton's Weird and Wonderful World of Early Cinema poster
7.0

Paul Merton goes in search of the origins of screen comedy in the forgotten world of silent cinema - not in Hollywood, but closer to home in pre-1914 Britain and France. Revealing the unknown stars and lost masterpieces, he brings to life the pioneering techniques and optical inventiveness of the virtuosos who mastered a new art form. With a playful eye and comic sense of timing, Merton combines the role of presenter and director to recreate the weird and wonderful world that is early European cinema in a series of cinematic experiments of his own.

Paul Merton's Weird and Wonderful World of Early Cinema

2010