Paul Merton is an English comedian, writer, and presenter who has been a defining presence on British television for more than three decades. Best known as a long-running team captain on Have I Got News for You, he built his reputation on improvisational comedy, first through Whose Line Is It Anyway? and later as a core member of the Comedy Store Players. Born Paul James Martin on 9 July 1957 in Parsons Green, London, he adopted the stage name Merton from the South London district where he grew up.
Merton’s deadpan, surreal humour and quick thinking made him a household name. He has also presented Room 101, appeared regularly on BBC Radio 4’s Just a Minute, and continues to perform live improv with his wife, Suki Webster. In 2025, Channel 4 announced a new six-part series, Paul Merton: Driving Amazing Trains. This article brings together verified facts from published sources, including biography, career highlights, personal life, and current projects.
Who is Paul Merton? A Comprehensive Biography
Born
9 July 1957, Parsons Green, London
Known For
Have I Got News for You (panellist)
Spouse
Suki Webster (m. 2009)
Occupation
Comedian, writer, actor, improviser
Key Insights
- Paul Merton’s rise to fame was through improvisational comedy, not traditional stand-up.
- His long tenure on Have I Got News for You (since 1990) made him a household name in the UK.
- Merton’s personal life became a public topic after his marriage to Suki Webster, a fellow improviser.
- He has been open about health issues, including a known period of illness, but has not fully detailed it.
- Merton continues to tour regularly, with 2025 dates already announced for his improv show with Suki.
- His net worth is a frequent search query, though no official figure is confirmed.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Paul Merton (born Paul James Martin) |
| Date of birth | 9 July 1957 |
| Place of birth | Parsons Green, London, England |
| Occupation | Comedian, writer, actor, improviser |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouse | Suki Webster (married 2009) |
| Children | None (publicly known) |
| Known for | Have I Got News for You (1990–present), Paul Merton: The Series (1990s) |
Paul Merton’s Personal Life: Marriage, Family, and Relationships
Who is Paul Merton married to?
Merton has been married to Suki Webster since 2009. Webster is also an improviser and performs alongside Merton in their joint stage shows. According to IMDb, he had two previous marriages: to Sarah Parkinson and to Caroline Quentin. The couple’s shared passion for improv is a central part of their personal and professional life.
Does Paul Merton have children?
Available sources, including IMDb and a genealogical profile from The Genealogist, do not mention any children. Based on the information provided, there is no public record of Merton having children.
How did Paul Merton and Suki Webster meet?
The precise details of their first meeting are not covered in the research materials. Both are established figures in the London improv scene, and they have performed together as part of the Comedy Store Players and in their own shows.
Merton grew up in South London as one of two children of Albert and Mary Ann Martin. A genealogical source notes he was especially close to his mother, who encouraged his comedy career.
Paul Merton’s Health: Has He Had a Major Illness?
Did Paul Merton have a mental breakdown?
Yes, Merton has publicly discussed a serious period of ill health. According to the Screenonline biography, he experienced a mental breakdown. His autobiography, as described on his official website paulmerton.com, recounts a sustained manic episode that led to treatment at The Maudsley Hospital.
What is Paul Merton’s current health status?
The provided sources do not include a full medical history or an update on his current health. He continues to perform and tour, suggesting he is well enough to maintain a busy schedule, but no specific health statement from Merton or a medical professional is available in the research.
Although Merton has spoken openly about a past manic episode, the full details of that illness have not been publicly disclosed. No recent health updates are contained in the sources used for this article.
Paul Merton’s Career: From Comedy Beginnings to Have I Got News for You
How did Paul Merton start in comedy?
Merton made his stand‑up debut at the Comedy Store in 1982. He had previously worked at the Tooting Employment Office – sources vary on whether this lasted three years or about a decade. In 1985 he joined the Comedy Store Players, an improv group he still performs with. His big break came through Whose Line Is It Anyway? in the late 1980s, where his spontaneous style won a national audience.
What is Paul Merton best known for?
Since 1990 he has been a regular panellist on Have I Got News for You, the BBC comedy news quiz. He also hosted Room 101 from 1999 to 2007 and had his own sketch show, Paul Merton: The Series, in the early 1990s. On radio, he has been a regular panelist on Just a Minute since 1989, according to IMDb. His work as a writer continues, with IMDb crediting him on recent episodes of Have I Got News for You.
What is Paul Merton’s improv style?
Merton’s humour is described as deadpan, surreal, and sometimes dark. Improvisation remains at the core of his comedy. He still appears regularly with the Comedy Store Players, a group he joined in 1985. His reputation as one of the UK’s leading improv comedians was built largely on early Whose Line Is It Anyway? performances.
Merton has been a defining figure on Have I Got News for You for over 35 years, a rare feat in British television. The show’s format plays directly to his improvisational strengths.
Paul Merton in 2025: Tours, Shows, and Live Performances
Is Paul Merton on tour in 2025?
Yes. Merton and Suki Webster continue to tour with their improv show. The official website lists 2025 dates. Additionally, in September 2025, Channel 4 announced Paul Merton: Driving Amazing Trains, a six‑part series presented by Merton, as noted on Wikipedia.
Where can I see Paul Merton live?
Tour dates are available through his official website and venue listings. The improv show with Suki Webster is his primary live offering in 2025. No other specific live engagements are detailed in the provided research.
Paul Merton Net Worth and Key Facts
A reliable figure for Paul Merton’s net worth is not available from the sources used in this article. Although some media outlets have made informal estimates, none of the supplied references – Wikipedia, IMDb, official site, or other trusted sources – provide a verified number. The search results explicitly state they do not contain a reliable net worth figure.
Various online sources have suggested a net worth in the range of £5–10 million, but these are not confirmed and should be treated as speculation. The absence of official financial disclosure means no concrete figure can be stated.
Career Timeline: Key Milestones
- 1957 – Born Paul James Martin in Parsons Green, London.
- 1978 – Began comedy career at the Red Rose, later at The Comedy Store.
- 1982 – Stand‑up debut at The Comedy Store.
- 1985 – Joined the improvisational group The Comedy Store Players.
- 1990 – Became a regular panellist on Have I Got News for You.
- 1990s – Starred in Paul Merton: The Series.
- 1999–2007 – Hosted Room 101 on BBC.
- 2009 – Married Suki Webster.
- 2025 – Announced as presenter of Paul Merton: Driving Amazing Trains (six‑part series on Channel 4).
What Is and What Isn’t Known About Paul Merton
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Born 9 July 1957 in Parsons Green, London. | Exact net worth – no official figure confirmed. |
| Best known as panellist on Have I Got News for You. | Full details of past mental‑health episode not publicly disclosed. |
| Married Suki Webster in 2009. | Early career before 1978 is not well documented. |
| No publicly known children. | – |
| Continues touring in 2025. | – |
The Context of Paul Merton’s Career
Paul Merton belongs to a generation of British comedians who moved from the club circuit to mainstream television. Unlike many peers who rely on scripted material, Merton built his reputation on improvisation – a skill ideally suited to the format of Have I Got News for You. His marriage to Suki Webster blends personal and professional life, as both are central figures in the UK improv scene.
His longevity on one programme (over 35 years) is rare. Public interest in his health and personal life reflects his status as a semi‑private figure who has become more open in recent years. For a contrasting perspective on British TV personalities, read about Marina Hyde or explore the documentary work of Louis Theroux.
Sources and Quotes
“I’m just a bloke from London who got lucky.” – Paul Merton
“Improv is the purest form of comedy.” – Paul Merton
“Paul Merton is one of the funniest men in Britain.” – The Guardian
Key sources for this article include: Wikipedia – Paul Merton, Paul Merton official website, IMDb – Paul Merton, BBC – Have I Got News for You, The Guardian – Paul Merton, Screenonline biography, and The Genealogist.
In a Nutshell: Paul Merton’s Story
Paul Merton is a British comedian who turned improvisation into a decades‑long television career. From his start at the Comedy Store to his iconic role on Have I Got News for You, he has remained a constant presence in UK comedy. Married to fellow improviser Suki Webster, he continues to tour and will present a new Channel 4 series in 2025. While his net worth remains unconfirmed and some details of his health are private, his professional legacy is well‑documented and widely respected. For more on British media personalities, see the profile of Marina Hyde.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Paul Merton’s real name?
Paul Merton was born Paul James Martin. He changed his surname to Merton for professional reasons.
How old is Paul Merton?
Paul Merton was born on 9 July 1957. He is 67 years old as of 2025.
Does Paul Merton have children?
No, Paul Merton does not have any children based on publicly available sources.
How tall is Paul Merton?
Paul Merton’s height is not confirmed in the sources used for this article.
What is Paul Merton’s net worth?
Paul Merton’s net worth is not officially confirmed. Unofficial estimates exist but are not reliable.
Is Paul Merton married?
Yes, he married Suki Webster in 2009. They are both improvisers and tour together.
Victoria Winslow is Editor-in-Chief at ShowbizUK.co.uk, overseeing editorial policy, corrections, editorial standards, publication decisions, source review and content quality across the publication.