JIMMY CARR, Sean Lock and Jon Richardson have spent so much time in the Countdown studio of late, it wouldn’t be too surprising if they’ve forgotten how to get to their faithful old 8 Out of 10 Cats set.

It’s all been thanks to the unexpected popularity of their mash-up show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. Originally intended to be a one-off, it proved such a terrific format, taking the best bits of both of the source shows, that it just kept getting renewed. First for the odd one-off special, and then for whole series.

Now the trio are back, joined by celebrity guest panellists to remind us why they became so popular in the first place. With the show now in its 17th series, the format is familiar – two teams, led by Lock and Richardson, must prove they have their fingers on the nation’s pulse as they discuss the topics on everyone’s lips.

Rounds include What Are You Talking About?, Pick of the Polls and Believe It or Not. All of them are based around surveys undertaken by members of the public.

It lends the show a bit of a satirical bent, not quite enough to pretend to the thrones of Have I Got News for You or Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe, but certainly enough to allow us a hearty laugh at the past week’s various annoyances.

Mind you, it must come as a relief for Lock in particular, who’s made his thoughts on his Countdown prowess abundantly clear. “It’s a bit odd because normally you go on Countdown, you lose, and you’re never seen again. Whereas I go on Countdown, I lose, and I’m back again, to get whupped over and over,” he says.

“Because Jon is like a freak. He always gets the same as Dictionary Corner and they’ve got a computer. He plays with his mum; he’s got a Countdown clock in his loft. He does – seriously.”

Of course, one of the big draws of the show is the celebrity panellists, and this series promises the likes of Paul Hollywood, Jack Dee, Joe Brand, Mel Giedroyc, Phil Spencer, Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe and Ashley Banjo.

We are even promised that Joe Wilkinson, who proved so effective as Rachel Riley’s “assistant”, will be dropping by at some point.