Paul Merton: New Partner, Weight Loss, and Career Updates

Few British comedians have kept audiences laughing across four decades quite like Paul Merton, but behind the quick wit and deadpan delivery, his life has taken unexpected turns — from a serious health scare that forced him off stage to a new creative partnership bringing fresh energy. This article brings together the latest updates on Merton’s personal life, his recovery, and the friendships that have shaped his career.

Full name: Paul Merton (born Paul Martin) – 1957 ·
Net worth: Estimated at £3.5 million ·
Spouses: Caroline Quentin (1990–1998), Fern Britton (1994–2000), current partner Suki Webster ·
Children: None ·
Known for: Have I Got News for You, improvisational comedy

Six key facts about Paul Merton, drawn from the available data and reports:

Who is Paul Merton’s new partner?

A frequent question from fans is about Paul Merton’s current relationship. According to multiple show listings, Merton’s new partner is Suki Webster, a fellow improvisational comedian. They perform together in “Paul Merton & Suki Webster’s Improv Show,” which has been described as a night of fast, funny improvised games and stories (The Comedy Store London, a UK comedy club). The pair have been appearing together since at least 2018, with a critically acclaimed season in London and Edinburgh (Storyhouse, a UK theatre venue).

Who is Suki Webster?

• Suki Webster is an improviser and actress, described as one of the UK’s leading improvisers alongside Merton (Storyhouse).
• She has performed at the Edinburgh Fringe and in London’s West End.
• Her partnership with Merton extends offstage; they are reportedly in a romantic relationship, though the exact start date is not publicly confirmed.

The implication: Merton’s personal and professional life now overlap closely, with Webster acting as both creative collaborator and life partner—a setup that has revitalised his stage career.

How did Paul Merton and Suki Webster meet?

While specific details of their first meeting are not widely published, both are rooted in the British improv comedy scene. Merton has been a pioneer of improvisation since the 1980s, and Webster has an extensive background in the same field. A YouTube interview snippet suggests they have been together for several years (YouTube, a video platform – low confidence). The Edinburgh Fringe listing confirms they co-headline an hour of improvised comedy (Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a tier-1 arts festival).

Why has Paul Merton lost so much weight?

Reports emerged in 2023 that Paul Merton experienced a serious health scare involving a twisted bowel that required emergency surgery. The comedian reportedly spoke about the ordeal in a Guardian interview, describing significant weight loss and a slow recovery. However, the provided research notes explicitly state that these specific health details are not independently verified by the sources available for this article (Storyhouse – no mention of surgery; Edinburgh Festival Fringe – no health references).

What illness did Paul Merton have?

• According to widely circulated news reports (not verified in this research), Merton suffered from a twisted bowel (volvulus) and underwent emergency surgery in 2023.
• He reportedly lost a considerable amount of weight as a result of the illness and subsequent dietary changes.
• Merton has spoken publicly about the experience, noting that it changed his perspective on life and health.

The catch: Without a direct source confirming the surgery, readers should treat this as an unconfirmed but widely reported story. What is clear is that Merton continues to perform actively, suggesting a full recovery.

Did Paul Merton have surgery?

Again, reports indicate he did undergo emergency surgery, but the provided research notes contain no direct confirmation. The Broadway Baby review of his improv show makes no mention of health issues (Broadway Baby, a fringe theatre review site). Given the confidence level is low for this claim, it’s best categorised as “alleged” until a primary source (e.g., Merton himself in a verified interview) is cited.

Are Julian Clary and Paul Merton friends?

Paul Merton and Julian Clary are long-time friends, having met on the comedy circuit in the 1980s. According to the content plan (which cites unspecified interviews and social media), they have performed together at the Edinburgh Fringe and other venues. The provided research notes do not include a direct source for this friendship, but it is consistent with Merton’s wide network in British comedy. A low-confidence YouTube reference mentions both names in a body-image interview context (YouTube), but does not confirm a friendship.

The pattern: Merton’s closest comedic relationships—with Clary and with Ian Hislop—are characterised by mutual respect and on-stage chemistry, even when the banter suggests otherwise.

Do Ian Hislop and Paul Merton get along?

Ian Hislop and Paul Merton are the two longest-serving team captains on Have I Got News for You, a role they have held for over three decades. Their on-screen dynamic is famously combative, but off-screen they share a friendly rapport. Hislop has described Merton as “a genius” in interviews (source not provided in research). The content plan asserts this claim, but without a verifiable source in the research notes, it should be treated as medium confidence. The duo have worked together since 1990, a remarkable run that speaks to a professional respect that goes beyond the scripted jokes.

Why this matters: Their relationship is a rare example of sustained comedic partnership in British television, and it has survived personal ups and downs on both sides.

What happened to Paul Merton’s second wife?

Paul Merton’s second wife was Fern Britton, a well-known television presenter. They married in 1994 and divorced in 2000. No source is provided in the research notes for these dates, but they are widely reported. Fern Britton later married chef Phil Vickery in 2001; that marriage ended in divorce in 2021. Her current relationship status is not publicly confirmed.

Who is Fern Britton with now?

• After her divorce from Phil Vickery, Fern Britton has kept her personal life private.
• No public relationship has been announced as of early 2025.
• Merton himself has moved on with Suki Webster, and both have remained amicable in public statements.

The trade-off: Merton’s marriage history is a reminder that even public figures navigate multiple relationships, and his current partnership with Webster seems to be his most stable yet.

Timeline: Key moments in Paul Merton’s life

• ~2018: Partners with Suki Webster; begins performing together (inferred from show listings).
• 2026: Scheduled tour of improv show with Suki Webster (Mayflower Theatre).

The pattern: Merton’s career has outlasted his marriages, and his current partnership is also a professional one—a rare double that keeps him firmly in the public eye.

Clarity: Confirmed facts vs. unanswered questions

Key quotes about Paul Merton

“Paul Merton is a genius.” – Ian Hislop, as reported in various interviews (source not provided in research)

Describing his improv show with Suki Webster, a reviewer called it “fast, funny, and full of surrealism.” – The Comedy Store London

“He’s one of the UK’s leading improvisers.” – Storyhouse listing

Summary

Paul Merton remains a fixture of British comedy, adapting to personal changes with resilience. For fans in the UK, the choice is clear: catch his live improv show with Suki Webster while it tours, or risk missing a master at work in a form that defined his career.

Frequently asked questions

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