Why didn't they show HIGNFY tonight?

[VisiblyOver25]

Anyone know why they didn't show Have I Got News For You tonight? Wonder if Danny Baker was on it?

Heidi Allen was the issue as she is member of Change UK which are fighting the EU elections in 2 weeks (not sure why it wasn't an issue when they had a Tory MP on two weeks ago but hopefully someone more knowledgeable might explain)

Or why they couldn't have decided this yesterday before filming and replaced her....

I’d assume it’s due to Euro election purdah from 2-23 May. Public bodies have to be careful with anything that can be pro/anti a political party in purdah. So two weeks ago wouldn’t have been in purdah

They said on FB it was because of Heidi Allen, and that they hadn't booked Danny Baker (still claiming a lack of knowledge about the royal baby despite tweeting name suggestions two days before the photo) but yes, surely this would have been apparent last night when it was recorded. Was the tub of lard not available?

Oh! Was just about to say they are! When I checked half an hour ago it was showing as on at 2130. Now it's Mrs Brown's boys....

Thanks Aurorie, assume question time (featuring Farage last night) wasn't an issue as they balance the panel?

Still think they should have realised yesterday prior to filming (they've replaced people at last minute before even if it's been with handbags) but hey ho

I wondered what was going on?

Why the last minute decision if it was political? Were they hoping there'd be a deal on the WA?

Yet Farage is all over the BBC, HIGNFY had Johnny Mercer a few weeks ago - what else was it than just Heidi Allen?

I was miffed that it wasn't on!

I think programmes like Question Time work on the basis of striving for balance, and o it's OK for politicians to appear even during campaigns.

What's not is for them to pop up on random entertainment programmes which are not required to be balanced.

(Though of course it might not be a worry about unfair boost, rather public demolishing a la Hislop)

Annoying it wasn't shown, it's usually fun when Jo Brand hosts it.

Why film it in the first place?

It's filmed by a production company, not the BBC directly. The production company apparently lobbied until the last minute to have it broadcast but the BBC pulled the plug as Heidi whatever her name is a party leader and there would not be time before the 23rd may to balance things out with other party leaders.