Jeremy Clarkson is to host the final Have I Got News For You of its current series, producers have confirmed.

The Top Gear presenter is the latest celebrity to stand in for former presenter Angus Deayton, who was sacked from the show following tabloid disclosures about his private life.

Paxman has been tipped as the show's new host

Clarkson will chair the show on 20 December, following in the footsteps of Conservative MP and Boris Johnson and The Weakest Link presenter Anne Robinson.

Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy will host this Friday's edition of the show.

A BBC spokesman said: "We're delighted Jeremy agreed but we are still looking for a permanent host next year."

Deayton, who has hosted the show since 1990, was sacked in October after the newspaper revelations continually made him the butt of his colleagues' jokes on the show.

After Angus: The stand-in hosts

Paul Merton Anne Robinson John Sergeant Boris Johnson Liza Tarbuck Charles Kennedy Jeremy Clarkson

Those tipped to succeed him include BBC political correspondent Andrew Marr and former ITV political editor John Sergeant.

Newsnight host Jeremy Paxman is also rumoured to be up for the job, though nothing has been confirmed.

Deayton's departure was the first permanent change to the show's line-up in its 12-year history.

But he will be seen on BBC One over Christmas, hosting celebrity clip show Before They Were Famous.