21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Paul Merton ‘honoured' if he was the reason Bruce Forsyth got Strictly job
Paul Merton has addressed the long-standing rumour that he was responsible for Sir Bruce Forsyth being hired to host Strictly Come Dancing, stating it "wasn't quite like that."
The rumour suggests that Merton inviting Forsyth to guest present on Have I Got News for You in 2003 put him on the BBC 's radar for the dance competition.
Merton confirmed Forsyth was a "consummate professional" on Have I Got News for You, which appeared to reignite his career and led to his Strictly role the following year.
While Merton has "no idea" if he directly influenced Forsyth's hiring, he stated he would be "extremely honoured" if he did, as Forsyth was a "lovely man."
Forsyth's career, which began in the 1950s, was waning before his Have I Got News for You appearance, and Strictly Come Dancing subsequently brought him back to primetime television.
