Swindon became the butt of the joke in a recent episode of long-running comedy show Have I Got News For You on BBC One.

The panel invites a mixture of comedians and public figures to look at the latest news stories alongside captains Paul Merton and Ian Hislop.

Now series 67, episode five aired on May 3 and featured journalist Lyse Doucet and comedian Chloe Petts and was hosted by Martin Clunes.

While discussing Rishi Sunak’s plan to deport failed asylum seekers to Rwanda, Chloe Petts said: “I haven’t been to Rwanda but I have been to Swindon.”

“I think tell the asylum seekers that they will be going there and that’s enough of a deterrent.”

While audience and panellists laughed, Clunes asked: “Was that three grand as well?”

UK removes first failed asylum seeker to Rwanda via voluntary scheme

On April 30 it was reported that a failed asylum seeker had been sent to Rwanda, under a voluntary scheme separate to the Government’s flagship deportation plan.

The unnamed man is the first to have voluntarily moved to Rwanda after being offered up to £3,000 financial aid and sent on a commercial flight to the central African country.

Petts performed in Swindon Arts Centre on November 19, 2023 but her latest tour does not come to the town.