Have I Got News For You spin-off blasted as copy of 90s BBC gameshow-Meghna Amin-Entertainment – Metro

A Have I Got News For You spin-off with ‘high-profile sporting and comedic talent’ is said to be in the works (Picture: BBC)

BBC fans have been left baffled over a Have I Got News For You spin-off which is reportedly set to hit screens at the end of this year.

According to reports, Have I Got Sport For You will air as a one-off special.

The panel show will follow the same format as Have I Got News For You, which has run from 1990 and stars the likes of Ian Hislop and Paul Merton.

The popular comedy programme has aired over 600 episodes over 68 seasons, as well as Comic Relief specials.

Broadcast has now reported on Hat Trick Productions creating Have I Got Sport For You with ‘high-profile sporting and comedic talent’ which is said to have been given the greenlight by the BBC.

The publication claims it has been in development earlier this year, with filming to commence next month.

‘It’s expected to be a comedy review of the sporting year and will feature a mix of sporting and comedic talent as part of the BBC’s Christmas schedule,’ journalist Heather Fallon said.

Ian Hislop and Paul Merton star on the original panel show (Picture: BBC/Hat Trick/Ray Burmiston)

However, fans have compared it to several other similar programmes, with many calling it a copy of They Think It’s All Over.

The comedy panel show ran from 1995 to 2006, originally presented by comedian Nick Hancock and starring the likes of Gary Lineker, Phil Tufnell, Ian Wright, David Seamen and Boris Becker over 19 seasons.

Jonathan Ross and Sean Lock were also among those appearing as regular panellists, with the programme airing on BBC One.

With the reports of Have I Got Sport For You in the works, fans have claimed it’s just a copy of They Think It’s All Over.

‘They Think It’s They Think It’s All Over,’ @bobby_peru joked on X.

‘They Think It’s All Overlap,’ @HylandIan quipped.

‘Is this not just They Think It’s All Over?’ @_Cailin_Corcra_ also wrote.

They Think It’s All Over ran from 1995 to 2006 (Picture: BBC ONE)

Meanwhile, James Lawton likened it to A League of Their Own, while @loftinopanevino said: ‘A sport show with Questions you say, I could think of another name for that.’

The BBC axed A Question of Sport after 53 years last December, due to ‘dwindling’ ratings.

At the time, it was said bosses haven’t called time on the show completely, having reserved the rights to bring it back in the future.

A Question of Sport was axed after 53 years (Picture: BBC/Stephen Brooks)

A BBC spokesperson confirmed to Metro.co.uk: ‘Due to inflation and funding challenges, difficult decisions have to be made, therefore Question of Sport is currently not in production at the moment.’

Sue Barker was dropped as a presenter in 2020, alongside long-running team captains Matt Dawson and Phil Tufnell.

Paddy McGuinness took over the hosting gig alongside team captains Sam Quek and Ugo Monye, but their tenure only lasted two seasons.

Metro has approached the BBC for comment.

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