Just a Minute creates mental overload or 'brain fry', says comedian Paul Merton

Paul Merton has been a panellist for more than 30 years on Just a Minute. (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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Comedian Paul Merton has written his first academic paper on why Radio 4 show Just a Minute is so mentally challenging.

The 67-year-old has been a panellist for more than 30 years on the BBC hit which requires stars to speak fluently for a minute on a given subject, without hesitation, repetition or deviation.

Now he has teamed up with Professor Alison Wray, an expert in linguistics at Cardiff University, to pen a study into brain fry, which can often affect their efforts.

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She said: “Brain fry is a colloquial term for mental fatigue or overload – when we are trying to attend to too much at once.

“The rules of Just a Minute create a perfect storm of cognitive pressure.”

And Have I Got News For You captain Merton said: “As somebody who never undertook further education it’s fair to say I’m university challenged.

“I was somewhat surprised when Professor Wray approached me to collaborate on an academic paper looking at the difficulties of playing the panel show. It’s mind-boggling to think my efforts to entertain the audience may well prove to be useful in studying brain fry or cognitive overload.”

In the paper, Merton says his avoidance tactic is to focus on the audience and on keeping the game enjoyable rather than winning.

Just a Minute creates mental overload or 'brain fry', says comedian Paul Merton

Just a Minute creates mental overload or 'brain fry', says comedian Paul Merton

Just a Minute creates mental overload or 'brain fry', says comedian Paul Merton

Just a Minute creates mental overload or 'brain fry', says comedian Paul Merton

Just a Minute creates mental overload or 'brain fry', says comedian Paul Merton