- 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.
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