Have I Got News For You

A slightly unexpected face in the HIGNFY studio this week, with the gleefully eccentric William Shatner guest-hosting the seemingly indefatigable current affairs quiz. Hopefully, Shatner's brash persona will provide a nice counterpoint to Hislop and Merton's snarky sparring. Equally, things could go catastrophically wrong. Either way, Shatner's star presence at least adds the slightest hint of risk to a series that has long been accused of playing it safe.

Lambeth councillor gagged over Jo Brand Streatham row

A Town Centre manager has been reprimanded for defending Streatham in south London, after comedian Jo Brand called it a "----hole".

Nancy Dell'Olio criticises the BBC's 'sexist' HIGNFY

Nancy Dell'Olio has labelled the atmosphere of the BBC television programme Have I Got News For You as 'sexist'.

William Shatner to host Have I Got News For You

Star Trek icon William Shatner will take the Have I Got News For You host's chair for the very first time on Friday 25th May.

We're hoping for fireworks tonight as Jeremy Clarkson takes the ­driver's seat once again.

After the fun that Private Eye had at Clarkson's expense over the injunction he imposed against his ex-wife, editor Ian Hislop will have been gleefully sharpening up his ad libs in readiness.

Clarkson can give as good as he gets, of course, and if they can get through the entire show without lawyers or paramedics having to be helicoptered in then frankly, it will be a bit of a disappointment.

Into this already heady mix Nancy Dell'Olio, who lumbered so ­entertainingly through her stint on Strictly Come Dancing, is thrown in for good measure.

This woman's shield of ­self-confidence is so strong the panel should be warned that any taunts they hurl at her are likely to bounce straight off and poke them in the eye.

Jeremy Clarkson is in the host's chair once again, always a gleeful prospect for anyone who enjoys watching him being needled by Ian Hislop. Remember when Clarkson threw his pen at Hislop, who'd had the temerity to cast doubt on Clarkson's authorship of his newspaper columns?

Their exchanges should be even more spicy, considering Private Eye's pursuit of Clarkson after he imposed a super-injunction on his ex-wife (a legal stricture Clarkson himself broke late last year).

Surely everyone will have some sport with guest Nancy Dell'Olio, a woman who has turned preening self-obsession into a profession.

How do we love HIGNFY? Let us count the ways...

Have I Got News For You celebrates its 22nd birthday this year and an astounding 43 series on the air.

Interview with Hat Trick boss Jimmy Mulville

All the successive BBC suits know that in Have I Got News For You, they have enduring comedy gold. Yet Jimmy Mulville's original expectations were low. "I didn't even like the title, and the pilot was the worst programme made by human beings up to that point"

Homeland's Damian Lewis takes to the host chair of this long-running panel show once again - but don't expect Paul Merton nor Ian Hislop to be any kinder to him now that's he's starring in one of the hottest shows on TV. Meanwhile Glasgow comic Susan Calman will be seeking to prove her quick-fire mettle among the guests.

Jo Brand told: Streatham is no laughing matter

Jo Brand, the comedian, has been accused of doing "serious damage" to the reputation of Streatham after describing the south London suburb as a "----hole".