Ian Hislop

If you were thinking Friday nights had become a little joyless lately, here's good news. The best panel shows around are back to make BBC1's end-of-week comedy desert bloom again.

Unbelievably, this is the 43rd series of Have I Got News for You sifting current events or, put another way, the 364th episode - and so far Ian Hislop hasn't missed one. He'll be renewing hostilities against Paul Merton here, with likeable wit Stephen Mangan in the chair as guest host (coming later in the series: Alastair Campbell!)

Ian Hislop on comedy, politics and HIGNFY

"Sometimes the ones who are really useless are incredibly funny..."

At the heart of BBC One's returning Friday night comedy block is the 43rd series of Have I Got News for You. Over the last 22 years the current affairs panel show has clocked up some improbable statistics: no fewer than 363 episodes transmitted, with Alexander Armstrong its most frequent guest host after 19 appearances in the chair. Tonight's show will be hosted by Stephen Mangan, alongside veteran team captains Ian Hislop (who has appeared in all 363 editions) and Paul Merton (a relative novice at just 355). Later in the series, we are promised debuts from new hosts such as former government spin doctor Alastair Campbell, as well as returns from motormouth Jeremy Clarkson and Homeland's Damian Lewis.

Leveson inquiry: Ian Hislop - live

Live coverage of Private Eye editor and Have I Got News for You panellist Ian Hislop at the Leveson inquiry.

Leveson: Ian Hislop says new press laws not needed

New laws are not needed to govern the press, Private Eye editor Ian Hislop has told an inquiry into media ethics.

Video: Private Eye's Ian Hislop at media ethics inquiry

Private Eye's Ian Hislop has talked about the satirical magazine's sources at the Leveson Inquiry into media ethics.

He said that new laws are not needed to govern the press, saying "statutory regulation is not required".

Mr Hislop also criticised the close relationships between the press, police and politicians.

"There are reasons News International thought it could get away with whatever it liked... the Murdoch family was deeply embedded in our political top class," he added.

Ian Hislop to give evidence at the Leveson Inquiry

Private Eye editor Ian Hislop will put forward his ideas for the future of press regulation when he gives evidence to the Leveson Inquiry next week.

This is one Christmas special from which you can't expect to hear too much goodwill to all men. It may have the jovial Martin Clunes returning for his tenth stint as guest host, but his hearty chuckle will not dull the sharp edge of Ian Hislop's satirical swipes at captains of industry, bankers, the Government, the opposition - anyone he feels he can accuse of hypocrisy basically.

Paul Merton's rants at the absurdities of the lighter side of the news should see Clunes's face crumple into paroxysms of laughter - he's always served as the lighter side to Hislop's more serious tone, but as the series has progressed the steady accumulation of idiocy in the world has proved enough to really get his goat.

Martin Clunes is a veteran host of the topical news quiz - and clearly a favourite, as he is invited back here to present the Christmas special. Never short of material, team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton have had almost too much to play with in 2011, what with the phone-hacking scandal leading to the public airing of the tabloid media's laundry.

Ian Hislop: "Philanthropy is to be encouraged"

The Have I Got News for You star says greed isn't good any more - but what does he believe in?