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Prescott helmed the programme for the final episode of the series but the Daily Express claims that Merton was worried that it would make the show too political.
"Paul wasn't that comfortable with the idea as he knew the show would end up being very politically charged with Ian Hislop at Prescott's throat," a source said.
"Paul doesn't particularly like the shows when politics and personal animosity overtake the comic side of things."
The programme's executive producer Richard Wilson recently revealed that he has a wishlist of presenters including Joanna Lumley and Jeremy Paxman.
