Paul Merton is to guest host BBC One’s The One Show once Adrian Chiles leaves.

The comedian will front the programme alongside Christine Bleakley next Thursday while producers seek a permanent replacement for Chiles, who has defected to GMTV.

Merton is currently at a loose end as Have I Got News For You is on hiatus until election night.

Watchdog presenter Matt Allwright has also been announced as a temporary stand-in.

One source told The Guardian: ‘It's really got to be someone who works well with Christine. There's no rush.’