Jeremy Paxman to host Have I Got News For You

As debate rages over whether women are 'too modest' for the job

Jeremy Paxman is to host his first episode of Have I Got News For You This Friday.

He makes his debut in the host's chair as a debate rages over whether women are 'too modest' to take the job.

In this week's Radio Times, team captain Ian Hislop said: 'On the whole, women are slightly more reticent and think, maybe modestly: "I can't do that." Maybe more men in public life say: "Yes I can do that."'

Tory MP Nadine Dorries, who appeared as a panellist in 2012, claimed that the show was 'too vicious' for women.

'I just don't think Have I Got News For You is a programme which lends itself to women feeling comfortable,' she told the BBC. 'I find it too vicious.

'I know people like that. That's why they love the programme - it's so successful. I just find it too vicious, too abrasive.

'It's all about banter - women don't banter in that way, or very rarely. You might get the odd woman who would, but most women don't banter in that way, don't have that degree of aggression.'

Also on the panel when the show returns for its new series at 9.30pm on Friday are Josh Widdicombe and TV presenter Steph McGovern.

Greg Davies will also be making his debut as a guest presenter later this series, with Jo Brand and Victoria Coren Mitchell will return to the hotseat.

Producers Hat Trick have released a teaser video of 'hidden camera' footage in which Hislop orders dirty tricks to be deployed against Paul Merton. Allegedly