Paul Merton has described an interaction with former Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe as being “the lowest point of my professional life”.

In a Q&A with The Telegraph , the comedian and longtime Have I Got News for You panelist recalled an episode of the BBC series in which Widdecombe featured as guest host.

At the time, Widdecombe was a Tory MP; the notoriously eccentric politician later served as a member of European Parliament for the Brexit Party, and is currently Reform UK's Immigration and Justice spokesperson.

Paul Merton on 'Have I Got News For You' (left) and Ann Widdecombe (right) (BBC/Getty)

Asked about his worst moment on Have I Got News for You , Merton, 68, responded: “Ann Widdecombe hosting, who obviously is the queen of comedy. At one point she turned to me and said, ‘Come on, be funny.…