Well, sanity, I suppose, is getting people to see the world your way. Paul Merton peoplesanitysuppose Change image and share on social
When I turned about 12 or 13, I realised that being funny wasn't about remembering jokes. It was about creating them. Paul Merton createfunnyjoke Change image and share on social
I don't always vote in general elections, but I think I've always voted Labour. Paul Merton electiongeneralhave Change image and share on social
When things are difficult, awful, stressful, the thing that always gets you through is a sense of humour. I don't mean - well, maybe I do - laugh at the hangman as he puts the noose around your neck. But an eye, an ear, for the ridiculous, the absurd in life, can get you through a lot. Paul Merton absurdawfuldifficult share on social
I read every book about Buster Keaton and Chaplin to see how they worked - it's all about dedication, tunnel vision, pursuit of perfection, getting the gag right. Paul Merton bookbustchaplin Change image and share on social
Generally speaking, politicians are an odd bunch. They seem to have very thick skins and genuinely don't care what people think. And charm is a very important part of the politician's armoury. I try to resist that kind of charm. Paul Merton armourybunchcare share on social
If you became a comedian in the '80s, you had to work the circuit and make people laugh. Canned laughter is cheating. Paul Merton 80scannedcheat 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 really don't take any interest at all in contemporary comedy. Paul Merton comedycontemporaryinterest Change image and share on social
It was a bizarre existence I led in my early twenties - that cliche of the comedian who goes out and entertains a roomful of people and then goes home to a lonely bedsit was unbelievably poignant for me because that was exactly what I was doing. I had periods of real loneliness. Paul Merton bedsitbizarrecliche share on social
