Have I Got News For You

Brian Blessed divides opinion on HIGNFY

Having assumed hosting duties on a Have I Got News For You that was predictably dominated by Margaret Thatcher jokes, Brian Blessed stole the show and divided opinion at the same time.

Pointless giant Richard Osman tears himself away from his desk by Alexander Armstrong's side to slide into one of the guest seats for the first of a new series of the topical news quiz. Osman is surely destined for the guest host gig at some point but tonight it's down to Stephen Mangan to give Ian Hislop and Paul Merton free rein to roam around the lunatic fringes of the news, while Osman's fellow guest, Joan Bakewell, offers sage titbits.

The satrical edge on HIGNFY has dulled very slightly over the years. These days, Ian Hislop and Paul Merton don't so much lacerate the week's events and personalities as chew them over with the odd comic flight of fancy.

Occasionally, let's be honest, that makes for an underwhelming episode, where the panellists never get up a head of steam and only the host's scripted gags keep things rolling. But more often, the big old beast of a show rouses itself and delivers an enjoyably surreal spin on the news, providing us with a neat comedy coda to the week. One of the best episodes of the last series had Richard Osman as a guest, punning about David Cameron's "mandate" on gay marriage and showing an almost shameful knowledge of Spice Girls hits. Happily, he's back again tonight, with the excellent Stephen Mangan in the host's chair for the first show of series (drumroll, please...) 45.

Ross Noble Elephant Man joke cleared by BBC Trust

Comedian Ross Noble's impression of "elephant man" John Merrick in an edition of Have I Got News For You has been ruled to be "at the margins of acceptability" by the BBC Trust.

Jack Whitehall is on a roll. His performance as feckless toff JP in Fresh Meat is a galloping comic tour de force. His sitcom-writing debut, Bad Education, was well received. His national stand-up tour has just come out on DVD in time for the Christmas gold rush. And now here he is guest hosting Britain's top panel show at the grand old age of 23.

By way of counterweight, one of tonight's guests will be the formidable and funny Baroness Trumpington, at 90 the oldest guest ever to appear in the series. Her career has stretched from Bletchley Park via a spell as mayor of Cambridge to a notorious V-sign caught on camera during an altercation in the House of Lords. Apprentice lemon-sucker Nick Hewer makes up the numbers.

Youth and experience on Have I Got News for You this week. Wet-behind-the-ears comedian Jack Whitehallp.o[ takes the presenter's chair, while "Bletchley Park Baroness" Trumpington is, at 90, the programme's oldest ever guest. But Ian Hislop and Paul Merton must be careful how they handle her. When Lord King of Bridgwater dared to suggest, in a House of Lords speech, that Baroness T looked old, she promptly gave him two fingers. Lord Sugar's wry sidekick, Nick Hewer, completes the line-up.

Roger Moore's HIGNFY stint gets mixed reception

Former James Bond Roger Moore took the helm for this week's Have I Got News For You, but his stint as a guest host received a rather mixed reception online.

Fifty years of James Bond films. Ten years of guest hosts on Have I Got News for You. How better to meld the two celebrations than by booking Roger Moore to take the hot seat?

The suave former Bond is 85 years old, which by our reckoning makes him the oldest host yet, narrowly pipping Bruce Forsyth (a tough act to follow, mind you). Moore is hoping for an easy ride, saying, "I just hope Ian and Paul will treat this old English actor gently. If not, I'll press the button which releases their chairs into a piranha-filled pool below."

Rachel "Boris's younger sister" Johnson also makes her first appearance on the show and Marcus Brigstocke provides comedic back-up.

Damian Lewis proves HIGNFY guest host hit

Damian Lewis proved to be a hit with Have I Got News For You fans as the show celebrated 10 years of guest presenters.