David Tennant was relentlessly teased while Michael Sheen was praised as he made a surprise cameo on Have I Got News For You (Picture: BBC)
David Tennant’s return to hosting Have I Got News For You backfired slightly after he invited friend and coworker Michael Sheen to make a surprise cameo.
The Scottish actor, 52, was the host on Friday’s HIGNFY, leading to fans heaping praise on the Doctor Who star for providing a show ‘full of belly laughs’ – even if some of them were at his expense.
David has closely collaborated with Welsh actor Michael, 54, his co-star on Good Omens and the acclaimed lockdown series Staged, and the pair enjoy a close friendship.
But when Michael made a surprise cameo on Friday’s episode in a short clip where he explained to the panel how to pronounce Bannau Brycheiniog, the Welsh for Brecon Beacons, the panel turned on him.
Guests Lucy Beaumont and Richard Osman, as well as regulars Ian Hislop and Paul Merton, instantly began comparing Michael to David, and it was obvious who was the favourite.
‘He’s very good isn’t he, Michael Sheen,’ Richard began, as David scoffed: ‘He’s alright.’
David wasn’t jumping to agree with all the praise on Michael (Picture: Have I Got News For You/ BBC)
The panel cleverly praised Michael while roasting David (Picture: Have I Got News For You/ BBC)
‘Anything he does, he carries,’ Richard continued, poking fun at Michael’s multiple collaborations with the Broadchurch actor.
‘He’s the actor of his generation,’ Paul agreed.
Lucy asked the Scottish star: ‘Do people in Scotland like you as much as people in Wales like him?’ – with David’s silence saying it all.
Needing to get a final dig in, Richard noted that Michael is a ‘versatile’ actor able to do ‘both comedy and drama, which a lot of actors can’t’ – as dramatic actor David sat at the top of the comedy panel.
Michael’s cameo for his friend backfired somewhat, but we reckon he would have enjoyed the chaos (Picture: Have I Got News For You/ BBC)
The playful teasing went down well with viewers, especially thanks to David’s dramatic seething in the host’s chair, with fans flocking to social media where some labeled it the best episode in ages.
‘David Tennant absolutely has the Midas Touch,’ one fan wrote. ‘Whatever he touches turns to gold… bloomin marvellous.’
‘That was an enjoyable and pretty excellent #HIGNFY. Credit especially to David Tennant for the atmosphere,’ another praised, while one said it was ‘one of the best eps we’ve had in a while. David always such a great host.’
David was praised as a ‘great host’ even as some of the jokes were at his expense (Picture: Have I Got News For You/ BBC)
One admitted she had ‘sat through episodes with barely a titter’ but the latest ‘had me laughing out loud throughout.’
It’s a busy time for David, who is preparing to return to play The Doctor in the special 60th Anniversary episodes this year.
Fans also went wild at the recent news that he making a return to the Star Wars universe with a major role in the upcoming Ahsoka series on Disney Plus.
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Over a decade ago in 2012, David, 51, voiced the character of droid Huyang in the animated programme Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
And this month it was confirmed he will be back after his voice was teased in the recently-released trailer for Ahsoka.
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Poor David.