Angus Deayton and Caroline Martin
In May 2002 a UK tabloid, the News of the World reported that Deayton had nights of cocaine and sex with a hooker, Caroline Martin, without realising she was a call girl - allegedly.
According to the News of the World Deayton's "technique was incredible". His knowledge of sexual practices was, we were told, so extensive that it would put the Kama Sutra to shame. At one stage, Ms Martin said she nearly asked him to stop so she could "ask exactly what he was doing" for the benefit of her "next boyfriend".
Angus Deayton then had to face Ian Hislop and Paul Merton on the Have I Got News For You screened the following Friday on 24th May 2002. The show was eagerly awaited. At the recording, tickets originally given away free were on sale for £500.
Once the show started, Deayton asked a question about party funding. But Paul Merton wanted to start the fun and interrupted, saying: “The story I’m interested in Angus, you and this prostitute. How did you get away without paying her?"
Ian Hislop then pulled out a copy of the News of the World and read a quote from Caroline Martin: "He made me groan all night.” He asked Deayton: “What were you doing, reading the autocue?"
Merton, who at one stage unveiled a T-shirt featuring the newspaper’s front page, added: "I am surprised you had the nerve to turn up. You knew what it would be like.”
Deayton replied: “I did, because of you two.”
Panellist Ken Livingstone, the mayor of London, joined in the fun, saying: “This is a day that Stephen Byers could have leaked more bad news.” Deayton added: “All week.”
Paul and Ian also took the mickey by referring to music Deayton played while having sex and asked: “What is gangsta rap?”
Deayton looked down and mumbled: “I don’t know.”
At one point Deayton told onlookers: “Please don’t adjust your sets. My face really is this red.”
Dave Gorman, the other panellist, said in a comment cut from the show: "My nephew's only 10. When he heard I was coming on, he told me: Don't forget to mention Angus fucked a hooker."
BBC bosses predicted Have I Got News For You would shaft Big Brother in Friday’s ratings. In fact it got 7.5 million viewers against its usual 6 million beating Big Brother with 5.8 million.
Hacks spent the week ringing the doorbell of Deayton's house in Islington, but there was no answer. He was in Italy.
The second time Angus and Caroline had sex, at the Hilton in London's Park Lane, Caroline Martin had a tape recorder hidden in her handbag and the promise of a cheque for Ł8,000 from the News of the World if her story proved true. Insiders on the newspaper said they had not been sure they would have enough material to publish a story if it was just about sex. Then Angus produced some cocaine, lined it up and snorted it through a £20 note. The News of the World would have some news for Mr Deayton.