I remember being fascinated by the very nature of comedy from the age of 10; why is this funny, and that isn't? Paul Merton agecomedyfascinate Change image and share on social
I looked at longevity in show business when I was about 13, and the people who seemed to have longevity were the ones who'd spent quite a bit of time learning about what they were doing before they made it. Paul Merton bitebusinesslearn share on social
When I used to do the Edinburgh Festival, there was a bunch of guys selling fresh oysters and I'd eat ten daily - marvellous. Paul Merton bunchdailyeat Change image and share on social
I have never sold my story, done 'Hello!' magazine, any of that stuff. I'm not guilty of exploiting my private life for cash and then saying, 'Oh, I don't want to talk about my private life.' I've never crossed that line. Paul Merton cashcrossexploit share on social
When I wake up on a Monday morning and I realise I don't have to go and work at the civil service, I really think I've won. Paul Merton civilhavemonday Change image and share on social
In 1987, I was in Edinburgh doing my first one-man show. I took part in a kickabout with some fellow comedians and tripped over my trousers and heard this cracking sound in my leg. A couple of days later I went into a coma and was diagnosed with a pulmonary embolism. Paul Merton comacomediancouple share on social
I was trying to organise my DVDs into a sort of chronological order, and I am afraid that it all trailed off after the Sixties. Paul Merton afraidchronologicaldvd Change image and share on social
When I was nine I spent a lot of my time reading books about the history of comedy, or listening to the Goons or Hancock, humour from previous generations. Paul Merton bookcomedygeneration Change image and share on social
I never give anyone advice: it can backfire horribly. In the 1950s, Eric Morecambe told Ken Dodd to get his teeth fixed. But those teeth turned out to be one of Dodd's big selling points. Paul Merton 1950sadvicebackfire Change image and share on social
I'll never forget my first experience of swede. It was at school and I thought I was getting mashed potato. I've never got over it. Paul Merton experienceforgethave Change image and share on social
