Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

The One Show hosts left wincing at Ian Hislop’s controversial joke: ‘We leave politics to your show’

Hislop’s quip was met with a moment of silence in the studio

Annabel Nugent
Saturday 01 October 2022 03:55 EDT
Comments
Sue Barker wishes her A Question of Sport departure was ‘handled better’ by BBC

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

The One Show hosts managed to keep the show on track after Ian Hislop and Paul Merton cracked a risky joke.

Hislop and Merton are both known for making political quips on Have I Got News For You, with Hislop having been a team captain on the BBC programme since its inception in 1990.

During their recent interview with Alex Jones and Ronan Kemp, however, the pair made a joke that put everyone in the studio on edge.

The duo were asked how they come up with content for Have I Got News For You, to which they explained the hosts usually “know what’s gonna come up” meaning that they can plan around it.

Hislop continued: “Except when something absolutely bizarre happens, like Liz Truss is Prime Minister – then you’re on your own.”

After a moment of silence, Merton added: “Oh did you feel that nervousness that went around the room then...?”

Kemp managed to brush off the awkwardness, joking: “Let’s put it this way, we leave the politics to your show!”

Merton replied: “Sorry, it’s a live show, I’m worried now about saying things.”

After the episode concluded, viewers praised the hosts of The One Show for keeping the show on track after the impromptu joke.

“Alex Jones is working hard to keep Paul Merton and Ian Hislop on track tonight on The One Show. Well done on a hard job Alex,” one person wrote. “Great show tonight.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in