David Dimbleby is to host 'Have I Got News For You'.

David Dimbleby

David Dimbleby

The 80-year-old presenter will chair the next episode of the popular panel show - which will be his first BBC presenting stint since he left 'Question Time' - and while he is excited, he joked team captains Ian Hislop and Paul Merton could be "difficult".

David said: "It is an intriguing invitation. When chairing 'Question Time' I became used to dealing with difficult panellists - but Ian Hislop and Paul Merton are another matter.

"They have turned disruptive subversion into an art form. It will be quite a challenge to keep the show on the road but whatever happens it will be fun."

David chaired the BBC's flagship political programme 'Question Time' from 1994, but he decided to walk away from the role at the end of 2018, insisting it was "the right moment to leave".

He previously explained: "At the end of the year, I will have been chairing 'Question Time' for a quarter of a century and I have decided that this is the right moment to leave.

"It has been a privilege to work for a programme which brings voters face to face with those in power. I am grateful to the production teams and to the BBC who have made this possible."

And while the network were sad to see their legendary host leave the popular quiz show, they stated they were "looking forward" to working with David on other programmes over the coming years.

David will present 'Have I Got News For You' when it returns to BBC One at 9pm on Friday April 5th.