Ian Hislop
Vertically challenged he may be, but Ian Hislop has a brain as big as an elephant's buttock. We profile the man who always been news for us.
The deadly rivalry between Ian Hislop and Paul Merton has achieved such legendary proportions that Homer could probably have written an epic poem about it. Or, at least, an epic limerick. Vertically challenged he may be, but Ian has a brain as big as an elephant's buttock and is more than a match for Merton.
It was Ernie Wise who famously had "short fat hairy legs." And, while we wouldn't presume to comment on the relative girth of Ian Hislop's lower limbs, it's fair to say he is one of Britain's greatest ever extremely short comedians - right down there with Ronnie Corbett, Dudley Moore, and, umm, Jimmy Krankie.
Of course, some might say he's not strictly a comedian at all. More of a baby-faced news junkie with an irresistible drive to rip the mick out of Paul Merton - although, to be fair, it's usually Mr Merton who gets the last laugh, or smirk. But however you want to put it, there's no denying Hislop's place as a king among satirists. And not just because of a certain well-known panel show. He's also the big cheese at Private Eye magazine, the fearless satirical rag where Hislop once shared an office with the god-like Peter Cook.
Swansea born Ian's not just a funny little so and so, he's a brainy one to boot. Educated at Oxford, impish Ian was soon making waves at Cook's highly regarded publication, becoming editor in 1986 despite being a mere pup at the time (well, compared to the other hacks at least) and continuing its success to date.
Ian's time at Private Eye hasn't just honed his satirical muscles and kept his pulse firmly on everything even vaguely political; it's also attracted some rather more unwanted attention. In fact, it's made him the most sued man in England. See, he's always got to be top at everything.
Having pitted his wits against Merton since Have I Got News For You began in 1990, Ian's become a very familiar face on the small screen, winning a reputation for his refreshing mix of moral indignation and razor-sharp comments. Always one to rail against sleaze, Ian's run-in with Piers Morgan, among others, has passed into the stuff of legend. Moral champion, railway enthusiast and all-round wit - good things really do come in small packages.
