<P> At short notice, Merton hosted the first episode after Deayton's departure, and was described as "merciless" in his treatment of his former co-star . A series of guest hosts appeared for the remainder of the series, including Anne Robinson, Boris Johnson, and Jeremy Clarkson . Despite an initial search for a permanent successor to Deayton, having a different guest host each week proved successful, with average audience figures increasing from 6 million to 7 million . It was therefore announced in June 2003 that this feature would continue permanently . </P> <P> Hislop is the only person to have appeared in every episode--despite suffering from appendicitis during one 1994 edition and having to go to hospital immediately afterwards . Merton is one of three people to have played all three roles of the show's format at various points: he has been captain of his own team, was the first post-Deayton presenter (series 24, episode 3), and has also been a guest on a team (Hislop's team, in series 11, episode 1). The others who have occupied all three positions are Clive Anderson and Frank Skinner, who have both stood in for Merton as team captain (in series 11, episodes 3 & 6 and series 36, episode 5 respectively). Anderson also filled in for Merton at the last minute for the special live edition for 24 Hour Panel People for Red Nose Day 2011 . (Martin Clunes could be considered the fourth person to have done all three roles, after sitting in Merton's usual seat in series 11, episode 4, but with his teammate being Men Behaving Badly co-star Neil Morrissey, the duo were given equal billing, with no captain). </P> <P> Apart from Merton, there are twelve other people who have appeared as a panellist after being a guest host: Clive Anderson, Gyles Brandreth, Marcus Brigstocke, Jimmy Carr, Jeremy Clarkson (who subsequently appeared as a guest host again), Alan Johnson, Charles Kennedy, Richard Madeley, Richard Osman, Robert Peston, John Prescott and Liza Tarbuck . The only guests to have also worked on the production off camera are Kevin Day and John O'Farrell who have both had stints on the writing team . </P> <P> Alexander Armstrong holds the record for both most appearances as guest presenter, as well as most guest appearances in total, having appeared 30 times in the central chair . He has never appeared in any other role . Andy Hamilton holds the record for appearances as a guest panellist, with 20 . </P>

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