Deayton 'to be ditched for Fry'

BBC bosses are reportedly preparing to sack Angus Deayton from Have I Got News For You and replace him with Stephen Fry.

They are said to be worried that tabloid revelations of cocaine-fuelled sessions with a prostitute have fatally damaged his image.

And they have already ousted him as host of the Before They Were Famous Christmas specials in favour of Fry, The Mail on Sunday reports.

Fry's agent denies the story, saying he has no designs on 46-year-old Deayton's £500,000-a-year contract.

But the newspaper reports that Fry heads a wish-list of possible replacements, which also includes Clive Anderson, Josie Lawrence and Tory MP Boris Johnson.

"He is keen to take over HIGNFY," an insider said. "He's a big fan and a wonderful master of satire.

"Angus's job was to pass judgment on others - that simply will not wash now. One of the greatest concerns is that jokes about his sex life will come up on every show. It's a different show if the joke is always on him."

Published: 14 Jul 2002