The
radio series was originally broadcast on
BBC Radio 5 in 1992, where it was hosted by
Nick Hancock. Hancock was also the first presenter when the series transferred to television two years later. The first ever guest on the TV version was comedian
Bob Monkhouse who cast
the French into Room 101. In 1999, Hancock was replaced as host by
Paul Merton (who was also the first ever guest on the original radio version). Merton's first guest was Nick Hancock and his last was his fellow regular team captain on
Have I Got News for You,
Ian Hislop. Usually, there were five nominations discussed in each show – represented by several surreal props. The last item usually goes in, sometimes for a forfeit. Following Merton's departure in 2007, it was announced that a replacement would be sought; however, it was not until 2012 that a twelfth series, now fronted by
Frank Skinner, was aired. In July 2018, Skinner announced that, after 24 years, the show had been cancelled by the BBC. The show returned as a
radio series on
BBC Radio 4 in summer 2023, in the original single-guest format and with Paul Merton returning as host. ==Transmissions==