Kelvin Mackenzie’s off-screen giggling added colour to Jeremy Paxman’s live rout of Mark Thompson tonight.

If anyone has ever wondered why the likes of Mandelson and Brown refuse to be interviewed by the legendary Paxo, his interview tonight with BBC Director General Mark Thompson offered the answer in spades. Not only did Jeremy set Thompson up by inviting a lot of corporate bollocks about BBC4 (and then reading out a risible evening schedule) he also poked such fun at the designer-bearded twit, ex-Sun editor Kelvin MacKenzie burst out laughing in the background.

Unfortunately, the problem with Paxman is that he’s paid an enormous amount of money by Auntie, but keeps pouring castor oil on her crumpets. This can only end in tears one day for the large-underpanted one; but in the meantime, what a joy he is. As the discussion broadened later to include McCoward and others, JP was in his element – laughing out loud at Kelvin’s silly jokes, and interrogating every platitude put forward by others involved in the debate.

The 76-point rules for the upcoming TV political debates were revealed tonight. I do not doubt that large audiences will tune into watch the formulaic exchanges. But equally, I am absolutely certain that a Paxman v Mandelson fight to the finish would attract greater numbers than all these debates put together.

Paxman must never be lost to the nation: he must be cloned, and available in perpetuity to highlight the mendacious illogicality of politicians everywhere.