Angus Deayton

Gordon Angus Deayton (born January 6, 1956) is a British comic actor and television presenter. He is best-known as the presenter of the satirical panel game Have I Got News For You, a job from which he was sacked in October 2002 after a second round of tabloid revelations about his personal life.

Scandal

In May 2002 he was embarrassed by tabloid revelations of a relationship with a prostitute and cocaine use, and his salary was reduced by the BBC. In October there were further reports of a long-standing affair, and he was asked to step down as the quizmaster of Have I Got News For You on October 29.

Related Topics:
2002 - Prostitute - Cocaine - BBC

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The BBC said his position as a satirical commentator on the week's news had become untenable, though some observers suggested that – as his position was essentially that of an actor reading a script – he should have been allowed to continue. Many took the view that the two regular panelists on Have I Got News For You, Paul Merton and Ian Hislop, contributed to his downfall – even if only by failing to offer Deayton support. When Merton was asked by Michael Parkinson whether he had stabbed Deayton in the back he replied "no, I stabbed him in the front", though this may only have been for comic effect. Other panelists, such as Stephen Fry have supported Deayton by refusing to appear on the show again.

Related Topics:
Satirical - Paul Merton - Ian Hislop - Michael Parkinson - Stephen Fry

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He continues to work on other projects including a new episode of Radio Active which was broadcast in December 2002. He recently starred in BBC comedy Nighty Night which was shown from January 2004. A few months later, he made a return to presenting with ITV's cookery reality show Hell's Kitchen and then the light-hearted quiz Bognor or Bust.

Related Topics:
Nighty Night - 2004 - ITV - ''Hell's Kitchen'' - Bognor or Bust

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