British Comedy Guide
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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 - 2025
  • 620 episodes (69 series)

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

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

Key details

Genre
Panel Show
Broadcast
1990 - 2025
Channels
BBC 1, BBC 2
Episodes
620 (69 series), plus 25 highlights / CIN specials / documentary
Stars
Angus Deayton, Ian Hislop and Paul Merton
Directors
John F.D. Northover, Ben Gosling Fuller, Paul Wheeler and Lissa Evans
Producers
Jimmy Mulville, Jo Bunting, Nick Martin, Mark Barrett, Danny Carr, Mike Rayment, Harry Thompson, Colin Swash and more
Companies

Fill in the missing words: ______ is a popular topical panel game starring Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.

Originally on BBC Two before moving to BBC One, each episode of Have I Got News For You features a series of topical rounds. On one side is team captain Ian Hislop, editor of satirical magazine Private Eye; the other team is lead by improv comedian Paul Merton.

From its launch in 1990 up to 2002, the show was hosted by Angus Deayton. However, a series of tabloid scandals involving prostitutes and drugs resulted in the the long-time host being forced to resign. Since then, each episode has been hosted by a selection of guest hosts. The list of those regularly asked includes Alexander Armstrong, Kirsty Young, Jeremy Clarkson, Jack Dee and Jo Brand.

HIGNFY's influence spreads far and wide. It's been suggested by a number of commentators that Boris Johnson's popular appearances on the show may well have helped him go on to become Mayor of London, and then later PM.

Stream and download

Additional details

Also known as
  • John Lloyd's Newsround (Pilot)
  • Have I Got A Little Bit More News For You
  • Have I Got A Bit More News For You
  • Have I Got Old News For You
  • Have I Got News For You? (Incorrect title)
  • HIGNFY (Acronym)
Production
Studio
Camera set-up
Multi-camera
Picture
Colour
Soundtrack
Theme tune written by Big George.

Website links

Broadcast details

First broadcast
Friday 28th September 1990 at 10pm on BBC Two
Next repeats
  1. Series 60, Episode 9: Today at 12:10am on U&Dave
  2. Series 60, Episode 10: Today at 1:10am on U&Dave
  3. Series 60, Episode 10: Today at 9pm on U&Dave
  4. Series 60, Highlights Special: Tomorrow at 9pm on U&Dave
  5. Series 69, Episode 1: Tomorrow at 10:40pm on BBC1
  6. Series 62, Episode 1: Tuesday at 9pm on U&Dave
  7. Series 62, Episode 2: Thursday at 10pm on U&Dave
  8. Series 62, Episode 3: Friday at 10pm on U&Dave
  9. Series 62, Episode 4: Sunday 13th April at 12:20am on U&Dave
Most recent repeats

Recording details

Free tickets

  • Fountain Studios - First few series.
  • The London Studios - Normally recorded on Thursday night
  • Elstree Film Studios - Series 56 - 58 & 61.
  • Riverside Studios - Series 60 - 69
  • Zoom (Virtual) - Series 60 - 61

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