Career: McGovern did work experience on the BBC's Tomorrow's World programme before getting a part-time job as a researcher in current affairs. After graduating from university, she became the main producer for daily financial news on Radio 4's Today programme and later the lead producer for business news on various BBC news programmes, working alongside business editor Robert Peston. McGovern made her debut as a presenter in 2012 on BBC Breakfast. She became the show's main business presenter, as well as an occasional co-host for the main show. Other TV shows she has worked on include Pocket Money Pitch, Shop Well for Less?, Can Britain Have a Pay Rise? and Watchdog.

Career: Hislop began submitting articles to Private Eye in 1980, eventually becoming deputy editor. When editor Richard Ingrams, one of the magazine's founders, quit in 1986, Cook offered him his job. Hislop has also regularly contributed to numerous publications, including The Listener, The Sunday Telegraph, The Spectator, Financial Times, The Guardian, The Literary Review and Time Out. Hislop's TV work began in 1983 with an appearance on Loose Talk and scripts for Spitting Image. He became a familiar face thanks to Have I Got News For You, which began its run in 1990. He also co-wrote family sitcom My Dad's the Prime Minister.

Career: Merton worked at the Tooting Employment Office while gaining experience at the London Comedy Store before moving onto the cabaret circuit. He made his TV debut in a small role in a 1984 episode of The Young Ones. After 10 years of performing, his TV career took off thanks to Whose Line Is It Anyway? He then wrote Paul Merton, the Series for Channel 4. Have I Got News For You made him a household name. He claims a highlight of his career was performing at the London Palladium. Merton also hosted Room 101 and is a regular on TV and radio. He has filmed travelogues to China and India for Channel 5 and presented various documentaries on the subject of comedy and silent film for the BBC.

Career: In 2003, Richardson won his heat of the BBC New Talent Comedy Search, and a year later did well in the Laughing Horse New Act of the Year competition and J20 Last Laugh Comedy Search. Encouraged by these successes and kind words from Jasper Carrott and Dave Spikey for a performance at the Criterion Theatre in London, his confidence grew. More stand-up followed, including appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He went on to feature on numerous radio shows before moving into TV. Richardson appeared on Never Mind the Buzzcocks and Have I Got News For You before becoming a team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats. He's since published his first book, It's Not Me, It's You! and taken part in various documentaries.

Career: For nine years after leaving Rada, Hancock worked in theatre. Her breakthrough came in 1960s sitcom The Rag Trade. Other early productions include Carry On Cleo, But Seriously, It's Sheila Hancock, and How I Won the War. Roles in Brighton Belles, The Buccanneers, Love and Death on Long Island, Bedtime and EastEnders propelled her further into the spotlight. She took a break from acting when her husband John Thaw fell ill, but returned with Fortysomething in 2003. Hancock continues to work on stage and screen, and in 2010 was a judge alongside Andrew Lloyd Webber on talent search Over the Rainbow. She's also written two acclaimed memoirs. She also regularly works in radio.