Widdecombe Hosted Have I Got News For You in 2006 and 2007

Comedian Paul Merton has described his experience working with former politician Ann Widdecombe on the BBC panel show Have I Got News For You as the lowest point of his professional career.

The comments surface as part of a broader reflection on the show’s long history of guest hosts, where Merton, a long-standing team captain, has identified Widdecombe as the least favorite presenter to occupy the host’s chair.

A Clash of Personalities

Merton’s critique focuses on the dynamic between the comedians and the former Conservative politician during her tenure as guest host. According to reporting by The Mirror, Merton characterized Widdecombe as so arrogant during her time on the program.

The tension reportedly peaked when Widdecombe took a directive approach with the team captains. Merton revealed that the politician went as far as ordering him to be amusing during the recording.

Merton further suggested that Widdecombe’s perception of her own comedic timing was misplaced, stating that she thought she was Victoria Wood.

History on ‘Have I Got News For You’

The friction between the two is rooted in Widdecombe’s appearances as the guest host of the satirical news program. She hosted the show on two separate occasions, first in 2006 and again in 2007.

While Widdecombe’s initial stint in 2006 was viewed as successful by some, Merton maintains that her presence represented a nadir in his career experience on the show.

The program is known for its rotating guest hosts, which often leads to varying levels of chemistry between the presenter and the permanent team captains, Paul Merton and Ian Hislop.

Merton and Hislop have served as team captains for nearly 30 years, witnessing a vast array of guest presenters ranging from politicians and journalists to actors and musicians.