Anne Robinson boosts viewing figures

Have I Got News For You recorded its second highest viewing figures with Anne Robinson as guest host.

She pulled in ratings of 7.3 million after stepping in to present the show.

The BBC programme is employing guest presenters to replace former frontman Angus Deayton.

A record 7.6 million people tuned in to watch him squirm the week after revelations about his private life appeared in newspapers during the last series.

But he was sacked last month after further stories came out which it was said made his position "untenable".

The BBC remain tight lipped over whether the guest presenters were on trial for a more permanent position.

A spokesman said: "Last night we recorded our second highest ratings with Anne Robinson presenting. We had 27% of the audience share.

"Anne Robinson is a very popular presenter and people were intrigued to see how she would deal with Ian Hislop and Paul Merton."

Fame Academy, BBC's answer to Pop Idol, has showed an improvement in viewing figures

Six million tuned in to see Mariah Carey sing with the students, a third more than the 4.6 million who watched the first show.