Correct Answer: He said to the compere, “Start the programme now.”

Solution : The correct choice is the first option .

In the original sentence, the speaker is giving a command in the reported speech. To convert it to the direct speech:

• The reporting verb told is changed to said in the direct form.
• The third-person pronoun he remains unchanged.
• The infinitive form (to start) is changed to the assertive statement (start) , as the sentence is imperative.
• Then is changed to now in the direct form.
• The words of the speaker are enclosed within quotation marks.

Therefore, the sentence in the direct form is: He said to the compere, "Start the programme now."