Paul quits Room 101

Paul Merton is to leave Room 101 at the end of the next series.

The show returns to BBC Two for a six-part run on January 5 - and Merton has vowed it will be his last as host.

He said: 'I’ve had a wonderful time hosting Room 101 and I’m delighted that it has lasted so long - and long may it continue.

'My personal highlight was talking to Spike Milligan, which was one of his last television appearances before he died.'

He added: 'The one thing I would put in Room 101 would be canned laughter.'

Guests in the next series will be Cilla Black, Nigel Havers, Davina McCall and comics Marcus Brigstock and Mark Steel.

And Merton's last guest will be Ian Hislop, Merton's fellow team captain on Have I Got News For You, who will try to get one of Merton's heroes, Charlie Chaplin, into Room 101.

This will be Merton's eight series of the show, after taking over from original host Nick Hancok in 1999. Merton will have hosted 64 shows to Hancock's 25.

A spokesman for producers Hat Trick said: 'There will be further series but we do not yet know who will take over as host of the show.’

Published: 9 Dec 2006