Have I Got News For You. Image shows left to right: Ian Hislop, Paul Merton. Credit: Matt Crockett
Have I Got News For You

Have I Got News For You

  • TV panel show
  • BBC One / BBC Two
  • 1990 - 2024
  • 600 episodes (67 series)

Long-running topical panel game with a strong political slant, featuring team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton. Also features Angus Deayton.

Episode menu

Series 63, Episode 7

Have I Got News For You. Anna Maxwell Martin. Copyright: Hat Trick Productions
Anna Maxwell Martin makes her HIGNFY debut as she takes to the host's chair. She's joined by comedian Chris McCausland and presenter Steph McGovern on the panels, alongside regular team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.

Further details

With Prince Charles standing in for the Queen at the State Opening of Parliament this week, there was also an announcement from Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer that he would resign if fined by police for 'beergate'; Michael Gove gave a bizarre accent-filled interview on BBC Breakfast and the 'Wagatha Christie' libel court case between Rebekah Vardy and Colleen Rooney rumbled on.

Discussion soon moved to the State Opening of Parliament, where Prince Charles filled in for his mother, due to ongoing mobility issues that the Queen has been suffering with.

Ian Hislop: "Prince Charles got his big moment. But it wasn't a big moment, because we had to recognise the Queen is still there, so they had a crown on a chair. After a bit, even I was thinking 'we're watching a hat on a seat'. I quite like flummery, but I just thought this is quite silly. Someone said it's a bit like the tub of lard on this show."

Chris McCausland: "It was a speech in the middle of a cost of living crisis, that didn't mention anything about helping people afford to live, or eat. The speech was given by a man sat on a throne, next to a golden hat that cost more than Chelsea Football Club. On behalf of a government that's run by a man who spent £200k decorating his flat and another bloke who's married to a billionaire."

Hislop: "So what's your point Chris?!"

McCausland: "Did you like the way that they closed all the roads to announce a law to stop people disrupting traffic?"

Also on the agenda for the panels this week was Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer's announcement that he would resign, if found guilty of breaching lockdown rules and fined by the police, who are currently investigating 'beergate'.

Hislop: "Keir Starmer must be fairly confident that he's not going to be issued with a fine, because he said 'I'll resign'. The Prime Minister, when confronted with the possibility of a fine, said 'I wasn't there. I didn't do it. I have no memory. There'll be an inquiry. We'll get the police to look later.' Look at the two different approaches... I'm just saying."

McCausland: "My problem with the parties wasn't really the parties. It's just that no one ever explains what the party games were. They just say 'there was wine, there was cheese, there were party games'. What do they at Conservative Christmas parties? Apart from 'Avoid Matt Hancock at the mistletoe'."

Steph McGovern: "It's definitely 'pin the tail on the donkey'."

McCausland: "Or 'pass the parcel' but every time it lands on you, you have to add another layer of wrapping... because the truth should never get out."

Later on, Maxwell Martin moved discussion on to the latest updates from Brexit this week.

Maxwell Martin: "What's reared its ugly head? It's Brexit, or a no-deal Brexit, to be precise. It's a complex issue involving Northern Irish politics, world trade and EU diplomacy."

McCausland: "When will it ever end Ian? It's 2022! It's like one of those 80s horror franchises that keeps on coming back, but each time it's more boring. You thought Brexit was boring, well this time... it's Brexit... with fishing quotas!"

Notes

Paul and Steph won, 6 points to 3.

Broadcast details

Date
Friday 13th May 2022
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC One
Length
30 minutes
Recorded
  • Thursday 12th May 2022, 18:10 at Riverside Studios

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Monday 16th May 2022 10:40pm
45 minute version
BBC1
Monday 16th May 2022 11:40pm
45 minute version
BBC1 Scot
Monday 16th May 2022 11:40pm
45 minute version
BBC1 Wales
Sunday 19th February 2023 9:00pm
60 minute version
Dave
Monday 20th February 2023 1:55am
60 minute version
Dave
Tuesday 21st March 2023 1:20am
45 minute version
BBC1
Monday 10th April 2023 9:00pm
60 minute version
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Tuesday 11th April 2023 1:20am
70 minute version
Dave
Thursday 25th May 2023 9:00pm
60 minute version
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Sunday 3rd September 2023 12:00am
60 minute version
Dave
Tuesday 20th February 2024 10:00pm
60 minute version
Dave

Cast & crew

Cast
Ian Hislop Team Captain
Paul Merton Team Captain
Guest cast
Anna Maxwell Martin Host / Presenter
Steph McGovern Guest
Chris McCausland Guest
Writing team
Colin Swash Writer (Additional Material)
Rob Colley Writer (Additional Material)
Ged Parsons Writer (Additional Material)
Shaun Pye Writer (Additional Material)
Christine Rose Writer (Additional Material)
Fraser Steele Writer (Additional Material)
Katie Storey Writer (Additional Material)
Zoë Tomalin Writer (Additional Material)
Jack Harris Writer (Additional Material)
Ken Cheng Writer (Additional Material)
Production team
Martin Lord Director
Jo Bunting Series Producer
Jo Maney Producer
Richard Wilson Executive Producer
Ruby Kuraishe Executive Producer
Simon Brook Editor
Jon Ellis Editor
Daniel Keevil Editor
Michael L. Worrall Editor
Jeremy Crichton Editor
Jonathan Paul Green Production Designer
Mikki Rain Production Designer
Hugo Keating Production Designer
Karen Jackson Costume Designer
Peter Raby Lighting Designer
George Webley (as Big George) Composer
Phil Hewson Graphics
David Ward Graphics

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