37. Ian Hislop
The Satirical Sentinel
Ian Hislop has been the watchful eye and sharp tongue of British satire for more than three decades. Born in 1960 in Mumbles, Wales, Hislop studied at Oxford before entering journalism, where his quick wit and moral conviction soon found a perfect home at Private Eye.
As editor since 1986, Hislop has guided the magazine through scandal after scandal, making it Britain’s best-known satirical publication. Under his stewardship, Private Eye has been fearless in exposing hypocrisy, corruption, and incompetence — all while keeping its mischievous sense of humour intact.
Hislop is equally familiar on television. As a team captain on Have I Got News for You since 1990, he has become part of the fabric of British comedy. His dry quips and encyclopaedic recall of political missteps have made him a national treasure, admired for never missing an opportunity to puncture pomposity.
Yet beneath the jokes lies seriousness: Hislop is motivated by a belief in accountability and truth. He has faced more libel suits than perhaps any other journalist, but his commitment to exposing wrongdoing has never wavered.
Ian Hislop embodies the role of satire in a democracy — entertaining, yes, but also essential. He reminds us that laughter can be a powerful tool for holding power to account.
