Have I Got News For You

Alex Salmond 'highest paid politician' on HIGNFY

A payment of £1,800 Mr Salmond listed in his register of MPs interests as his fee for appearing on the show last month was £300 higher than that recorded by the five other senior UK politicians who featured in the same series.

Radio Times review

Heaven knows, there's not much to laugh about in the news, which almost perversely means we need more than ever the pungent satire of Have I Got News for You. If we can't make fun of our fears, then we're lost.

Scotland's former First Minister Alex Salmond, now MP for Gordon at Westminster, is one of the guests. He has appeared on the show before, though some years ago, back when everyone, including him, had more hair.

Also trying to help us to forget our troubles is Sara Pascoe, a cheerful stand-up who's clever enough and observant enough not simply to be the female comedian who fills the "we need a woman" chair.

Hosting is everyone's favourite, the twinkly and urbane Alexander Armstrong. As MC of Pointless, he's king of the daytime quiz show, and also recently topped the classical music charts with his first album, A Year of Songs. Let's hope he gives us a tune.

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron appearing on HIGNFY

Tim Farron to follow in Charles Kennedy's footsteps with appearance on satirical news quiz.

After 50 series it's time to pull the plug on HIGNFY

British satire isn't dead so much as sleeping - someone give me a nudge when it wakes up.

Ruth Davidson MSP 'nervous' of HIGNFY appearance

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives has admitted she is 'terrified' at the prospect of appearing on the long-running show alongside team captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, guest host Michael Sheen - who once portrayed ex-Labour prime minister Tony Blair - and comedian Jon Richardson.

TV review: Have I Got News For You, BBC1

This could have been a memorable edition of this satirical warhorse. Instead it felt a little bit snippy and Paul Merton, usually so good, did his distracted, disinterested look a few too many times.

Clarkson's HIGNFY appearance pulls in 4.46 million

Jeremy Clarkson's long-awaited appearance hosting Have I Got News For You was Friday's (October 2) highest-rated show outside of soaps.

Review: Have I Got News For You series 50 episode 1

Overall, this wasn't HIGNFY's finest (half) hour. However, it still provided a neat blend of political satire, slapstick and incisive political comment that is sorely missing on TV. Not too bad for a show entering its twenty-fifth year.

Whatever happened to Jeremy Clarkson? He doesn't seem to have been on TV much lately but here he is, hosting the first edition of the unstoppable topical quiz's 50th series. Expect zingers about the refugee crisis and Jeremy Corbyn's sandals, plus perhaps some insight into what his friend David Cameron gets up to in the Oxfordshire countryside. Flanking the Jezmeister are regular captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, as well as Pointless star Richard Osman and Camilla Long.

Live coverage of Jeremy Clarkson on HIGNFY

Join Helena Horton for live updates as the disgraced former Top Gear presenter returns to the BBC to host Have I Got News For You - his first appearance since his high-profile sacking.