So, here goes with hopefully a mildly controversial and provocative thread on the best possible QI quartet, from all who have appeared. It’s based on their knowledge, ability to spark debate and facility to amuse.

1 – David Mitchell
2 – John Sessions
3 – Bill Bailey
4 – Jeremy Clarkson

Mitchell is the funniest man on British television right now, and his appearances in the just-ended “E” series were all-compassing and superb. Sessions has used QI as a vehicle to become likeable again, and that’s no mean feat. He’s also superb when being anecdotal. Bailey’s got this improvisational branch to his performance on the programme; he gives off many signals that the panellists have no notion of what is ahead of them. Clarkson provides an element of tension due to his sometimes offbeat views, but he maintains a sense of humour and furnishes the panel with great stories.

Leaving out Sean Lock and Dara O’Briain was very hard. Leaving out Alan Davies was a lot easier – I don’t dislike him, but his shtick at being the supposed thickie and Fry’s “victim” is now a tad tedious. Rich Hall and Phill Jupitus are likeable enough but the former says too little and the latter always finds himself surrounded by funnier folk.

I like QI. I’m glad Dave thinks it is laddish enough for them, when in fact it isn’t actually that laddish at all.

Here’s what he said …

It never comes up. I mean the ball’s entirely in David Renwick’s court. After Caroline Quentin left the show, Julia Sawalha came in and we did several episodes. I don’t know if either Julia or Caroline would want to do it again. I don’t honestly know. I don’t know if David wants to. I would do it again! [Laughs]. 

Sometimes I feel like I’m the only person left, going, “Jonathan Creek was great! Why don’t we doJonathan Creek?”. I spend all my time waiting for scripts, reading scripts, or trying to write my own scripts – but nothing’s ever as good … If we ever did it again, I think it would probably be David writing a one-off.

Well, even that would do me. Come on, Mr Renwick, why don’t you do Jonathan Creek?