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Re: Paul Merton 25 Years on JAM.

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lj_sa2001Feb 17, 2014
 

 

"On the matter of Paul and Wendy I always wondered why they weren't on the same show that often. When i listened to those shows it seemed to me that Paul would generally take the mick out of her a little harder than others. "

In  the concluding part of our exclusive serialisation of his new book, Nicholas Parsons, the veteran host of Radio 4’s Just A Minute recalls the most talented panellist in the show’s history – and Wendy Richard’s strange dislike of Paul Merton
http://www.express.co.uk/expressyourself/192209/Nicholas-Parsons-Just-a-minute

 

…..Someone who came into Just A Minute much later was Paul Merton. Everyone respects Paul for the flair and skill he shows but Wendy Richard did not like him and this caused problems. When Wendy first started, she was always great value. I met her in the early Sixties when she appeared in sketches in The Arthur Haynes Show. She had a real sense of fun.

I could tell she was going to achieve great things and I was delighted by her success in Are You Being Served? which ran for 13 years.

Sadly, I think Wendy changed when she joined EastEnders as Pauline Fowler, a fairly aggressive character. I felt she in some way morphed into Pauline. She always seemed to get narky with ­people.

In one show her feelings towards Paul Merton boiled over. He challenged her and Wendy snapped: “You’re having a go at me again! You’re always like that. What have I done to you?”

Wendy was not joking. This was said in deadly earnest. I did my best to cover but I felt embarrassed. Paul, who is very tolerant, could not understand her behaviour.

It reached the point that if Wendy was booked for the show Paul did not want to be cast. In the end, the ­producer decided to stop casting her.

I have no idea why she ­disliked Paul. He often makes jokes at my expense but I enjoy the banter as much as he does…………..

 
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