Have I Got News for You season 69: release date, star guests and everything we know
Have I Got News for You season 69 sees the return of Ian Hislop and Paul Merton on the BBC satirical show.

Good news for fans of Have I Got News for You, the BBC series is back for a 69th outing.
Here’s a full rundown of all the presenters and guests...
Have I Got News for You season 69 — release date
Have I Got News for You season 69 airs weekly from Friday, April 4, 2025 at 9pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The slightly longer version Have I Got a Bit More News For You airs weekly on Monday nights at various times (See our TV guide). Both versions are available on BBC iPlayer.
Have I Got News for You season 69 — episode guide
Episode 1
Airdate: Friday 04 April 2025, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm.
Guest host: Presenter and actor Alexander Armstrong.
Guest panellists: Broadcaster Steph McGovern and comedian Phil Wang join regular panellists and stars of the show Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.
This is Alexander's 42nd appearance as guest host, while Steph and Phil are making their 15th and 14th appearances on the programme respectively.
Episode 2
Airdate: Friday 11 April 2025, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm.
Guest host: Presenter and actor Martin Clunes makes his 21st appearance on the programme.
Guest panellists: Helen Lewis making her 11th appearance and comedian Ian Smith making his HIGNFY debut.
Episode 3
Airdate: Friday 18 April 2025, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm.
Guest host: Actor Katherine Parkinson.
Guest panellists: Comedian Julian Clary and journalist Jemima Kelly.
Speaking about her HIGNFY debut Katherine said: "It’s such an honour to present this institution of a show, one that I’ve enjoyed watching for years.
"I really hope I can read the autocue, I think I probably need glasses now. I suppose we’ll find out."
This is Julian's first time on the show since 2008 and Jemima's debut.
Episode 4
Airdate: Friday 25 April 2025, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm.
Guest host: Angela Rippon.
Guest panellists: Presenter Richard Osman and comedian Jo Brand.
Angela appeared on programme in 2000 as a panellist but this is her first time in the hosting seat.
“It’s been a few years since I said this, but Have I Got News For You!" says the iconic British broadcaster. "I can’t wait to hear how captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, along with their teams, will mangle and mash the news headlines of the day. It definitely won’t be the News at Ten – what it will be, is a lot more fun.”
Episode 5
Airdate: Friday 02 May 2025, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm.
Guest host: Sue Perkins.
Guest panellists: US Comedian Michelle Wolf and journalist Tom Peck.
This is Sue and Michelle's debut on the show and Tom's second appearance.
Episode 6
Airdate: Friday 09 May 2025, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm.
Guest host: David Tennant.
Guest panellists: Comedian Miles Jupp and journalist Beth Rigby.
This is David Tennant's ninth time hosting HIGNFY and Mile Jupp's 18th appearance on the show.
Episode 7
Airdate: Friday 16 May 2025, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm.
Guest host: Stephen Mangan.
Guest panellists: Comedians Chloe Petts and Andy Hamilton.
This is Stephen's 16th time on HIGNFY.
Episode 8
Airdate: Friday 23 May 2025, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm.
Guest host: Victoria Coren Mitchell.
Guest panellists: Comedian Chris McCausland and broadcaster Janet Street-Porter.
This is Victoria's 29th time on the programme, Chris's 7th, and Janet's 18th.
Episode 9
Airdate: Friday 30 May 2025, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm.
Guest host: Roy Wood Jr.
Guest panellists: Comedian Guz Khan and broadcaster Kirsty Wark.
Roy made his hosting debut on the show's last series. This is Guz's second appearance on the series.
Episode 10
Airdate: Friday 06 June 2025, BBC One and BBC iPlayer, 9pm.
Guest host: Richard Ayoade.
Guest panellists: Comedian Jack Dee and new Match Of The Day Presenter Kelly Cates.
Richard's role as guest host of the final episode of HIGNFY series 69 is his 12th time on the programme. This is Jack's 22nd appearance and Kelly's debut.
HIGNFY - stars guests from seasons past
Previous seasons of HIGNFY are currently available to watch on BBC iPlayer, with a range of star guests including Harry Hill, Clive Myrie, Victoria Coren Mitchell, Bill Bailey and Mel Giedroyc.
Speaking about what makes a good guest host Paul Merton says: “You find that generally actors are great at doing it because they are used to sharing the stage with other people. David Tennant, for example, is superb, because he's used to being in situations where he's not the only one talking. So he won't interrupt until it feels like you've run out of steam or you've come to a natural conclusion.”
Ian Hislop adds: “I'll tell you who's also been really good, Mel Giedroyc. She was absolutely fabulous. She wanted everyone to be part of a gang. She kept saying ‘hello, gang’. Which was great because Paul and I really don't like gangs!”
HIGNFY season 68 - complete guide
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With over twenty years of experience as an entertainment journalist, Elaine writes for What’s on TV, TV Times, TV & Satellite Week and www.whattowatch.com covering a variety of programs from gardening and wildlife to documentaries and drama.
As well as active involvement in the WTW family’s social media accounts, she has been known to get chatty on the red carpet and wander into the odd podcast.
After a day of previewing TV, writing about TV and interviewing TV stars, Elaine likes nothing than to relax… by watching TV.
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