Lib Dem leader to host TV quiz

Charles Kennedy has been a popular guest

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy is to present an episode of topical quiz show Have I Got News For You next month.

The MP has been a guest on the show six times, including twice as party leader.

Now he will get the chance to keep order on 13 December, following Angus Deayton's sacking last month.

Deayton was fired after revelations about his private life made him the butt of jokes from team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.

Deayton (centre) was the butt of Hislop and Merton's jibes

Mr Kennedy will be donating his appearance fee to the Highland Hospice in Inverness, which serves his Ross, Skye and Inverness West constituency.

He was famous for his appearances on TV shows, earning him the nickname "chatshow Charlie".

But his spokeswoman dismissed suggestions his latest appearance would revive that image.

"That's all in the dim and distant past," she said.

"It just shows that Charles is a politician with the popular touch."

Guest presenters

After Deayton's sacking, producers opted to use guest presenters until a full-time replacement could be found.

Paul Merton took over as chairman for the first week, and was followed by Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson, and political journalist John Sergeant.

Conservative MP Boris Johnson is presenting this week's programme.

The editor of political weekly The Spectator, he has become another favourite on the show, appearing three times since 1998.

No presenters have been confirmed for the two remaining episodes of the series.

Deayton's departure was the first permanent change to the show's line-up in its 12-year history.

However, the show with Robinson as presenter was seen by 7.3 million people - the second-highest figure in the show's history.