IT was a sad moment over on BBC2 last night when Paul Merton bowed out as the host of Room 101.

Fittingly his final guest being asked to consign various aspects of modern life to the dustbin of history was his Have I Got News For You sparring partner Ian Hislop.

If you were compiling a list of dinner party guests you'd like to spend the evening with, it's probable that either one of them would feature prominently so to get both of them together is a real bonus.

Room 101 is one of those programmes which has successfully survived the transition from radio to the small screen and, in the hands of Mr Merton, has become a beacon of quality on a Friday night.

Essentially celebrities go on with a list of things, attitudes and anything else which they would like to rid the world of with Merton holding a Roman emperor like power over whether they get their wish granted or not.

What usually happens is that the hapless celebrity tries to put up a good fight but in reality becomes the subject of Paul Merton's surreal wit.

In Ian Hislop he was up against superior opposition and the comedy sparks that generated from two men who clearly have a great relationship was quality TV.

Naturally Hislop tried to get everything Merton holds dear thrown into Room 101 - including The Beatles and Charlie Chaplin.

Would be wits should watch re-runs of this episode to see how it should be done.