Have I Got News for You (BBC1, 9pm)

FRIDAY nights never seem quite the same without HIGNFY, and I’m sure that conspiracy theorists could have the Queen purring down the phone about the programme missing the great Scottish referendum debate.

There would have been plenty for Ian Hislop and Paul Merton to savour, particularly if Alex Salmond and Alistair Darling had been allowed to take the chair for a couple of weeks. At least the Scots could have gone to the polls with a lot more to laugh about.

Luckily for the show, the news never stops, and there'll be a whole host of David Cameron bloopers and Whitehall farces to consider this week - and in the unlikely event that there isn't, the producers are never adverse to throwing in the odd viral internet clip as well.

Jennifer Saunders is settling into the guest host chair, while satirist Armando Iannucci, who as the creator of The Thick of It has an impressive track record when it comes to skewering politicians, and debutant guest comedienne Sara Pascoe will be trying to spot the odd ones out and identifying the missing words.

The X Factor (ITV, 9pm)

If your nerves have recovered from last week's three-part bootcamp extravaganza, then get ready for another triple helping of X Factor as we reach the judges' houses stage.

It's always a stressful time for the acts, as they wait to discover if they've made it to the live shows, but now that Simon is back, there's an added element of tension for the viewers - what exactly will his adviser Sinitta, who once turned up in strategically-placed palm leaves, be wearing? She's joining Simon in Los Angeles to help him decide which of the warblers should make the cut.

Meanwhile, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini is whisking the girls of to the French city of Nice to audition for her and Tinie Tempah, while there's a mini-Spice Girls reunion in Cancun, Mexico, as Emma Bunton gives Mel B her opinion on the boys.

And there's even an X Factor return for former judge Tulisa, who will be joining Louis Walsh in Bermuda to assess the groups. So, even if they fail to make it to the live shows, at least everyone's had a nice holiday.

Stars At Your Service (Channel 4, 8pm)

IF it wasn’t for the Stand Up to Cancer fundraising campaign link to this series I’d be pressing the off button faster than Usain Bolt can hit the back of the shed. Celebrities simpering over doing good deeds often make for quite uncomfortable viewing.

Comic Russell Kane, Union J and Made In Chelsea’s Ollie Locke are taking part tonight. Kane is helping cancer patient Jayne to complete her Happy Days Challenge wish list, while popsters Josh, George, JJ and Jaymi of Union J don aprons and hairnets to become dinner ladies at a primary school, while Ollie undertakes a gruelling assault course challenge.

Also rumoured to be popping up later on in the series are Melanie C, Phil Spencer, Rebecca Adlington, Greg Davies, Rav Wilding, Jamie Laing, Rachel Riley, Katie Price, Sarah Beeny and Johnny. New stars are getting involved all the time, and viewers who would like a helping hand from a famous face can go on the Channel 4 website and make a request for the current crop of eager-to-help celebs.

"Today I've been at Jayne's service. She put in a request for me at the Stars at Your Service website, and here I am. I'm doing this for Stand Up To Cancer, and now I'm asking you to do your bit in the fight against the disease. Please support us and donate if you can to help beat cancer," says Kane.