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Merton lands more travelogues

Paul Merton is to make two more travelogues – about India and Germany - following the success of his programmes about China.

Channel Five is to air two series, each comprising four hour-long shows, about the comic’s experiences abroad.

Merton told industry magazine Broadcast: ‘As with China, we've got a number of interesting places on the itinerary in India and Germany, but, once I get there, I hope to throw in a few surprises.’

One of the people he plans to meet is Karmapa Dorje, who claims to be the ‘coolest monk in India’, who has a MySpace page, is a keen Spider-Man fan and loves impersonating Elvis.

In Germany, Merton will don his sandals and lederhosen to test whether the Brits' stereotypical image of the Germans is correct.

Paul Merton in China, below, attracted an average audience of 1.8 million viewers earlier this year, up 400,000 on Five’s average for the time slot.

Five’s senior programme controller Chris Shaw said: ‘Paul's brilliant improvised humour and natural curiosity combine to offer a totally new style of topical adventure show.’

Meanwhile, Merton will be touring his Silent Clowns show around the UK this autumn. Click here for dates.

Published: 20 Sep 2007

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