Have I Got News For You star Ian Hislop wants Donald Trump as a guest host

Have I Got News For You is 30 this autumn and team captain Ian Hislop hopes Donald Trump will soon be a former US President with time on his hands to appear as a guest host.

The Private Eye editor, who has been on the show from the start, said: “I would like EX-President Donald Trump to be guest host of the show next series. I have an awful feeling this may not happen.”

Both Hislop, 60, and his opponent Paul Merton, 63, picked the episode highlighting Dominic Cummings ’ lockdown trip to Barnard Castle as a favourite.

Hislop said: “We were all locked down obeying the government rules, but Dominic Cummings was not.

“It was a real test for the programme, but obviously not an eye test of the type that requires you to drive to Barnard Castle with your son in the back of the car to see if you hit any pedestrians or bollards.”

Merton agreed: “I really enjoyed the last episode of last series, which was the week that Dominic Cummings gave himself an eye test.”

The comedy panel game, which is back for its 60th series on October 2, is returning to the studio after the last run was pieced together from the socially distanced panellists’ living rooms.

Angus Deayton hosted the show at its launch on BBC2 in 1990, leaving in 2002, amid a sex and drugs scandal.

In all its 524 episodes, there have been 115 guest hosts, and for Merton one of his favourites was Bruce Forsyth, when he hosted for the first time in 2003, throwing in references to his own game shows, including Play Your Cards Right and the Generation Game.

Merton said: “He brought so much fun to the set and made it so unlike any other episode for its light entertainment values. I find it funny that the show I liked the most is probably the one Ian hates the most.”

His favourite guests were Spike Milligan in 1995 and Peter Cook who appeared twice, in 1992 and 1993.

He said: “Both of them were heroes of mine growing up. Peter Cook laughing at something I said was a moment I won’t forget.”

Hislop’s highlights included Jeremy Clarkson making him bleed by throwing a biro at his face, and blaming his wife.

Then there was the “morning after the election” show, when a floor manager made numerous appearances to tell them which party leaders had resigned as they were recording.

Another favourite was Canadian actor William Shatner appearing as host, despite having “no idea who any of us were and no knowledge of British current affairs at all” and declaring that Ilfracombe was “laced with prostitutes”.

Although Merton took a break in 1996 and Hislop has appeared in every episode, Merton has thrashed Hislop in the number of series won – notching up 44 victories compared to his rival’s 5.

Hislop admited: “I can’t believe we have been going for 30 years. That’s half my life. When we made the pilot 30 years ago my late mother came to see it and I asked her what she thought of it. Her verdict was, ‘Never mind dear’.