Ian Hislop was travelling in a taxi when it was reportedly struck by a bullet

Private Eye editor Ian Hislop's taxi 'hit by bullet'

· RTE.ie

A taxi carrying Private Eye editor Ian Hislop was hit by a bullet, according to reports.

The Have I Got News For You star was in a black cab in central London at around 10am yesterday when a bullet is said to have damaged the rear of the vehicle as it stopped in traffic, the Guardian reported.

Neither Mr Hislop nor the driver was harmed.

The apparent shooting, which was reported to police by the driver, happened in Dean Street in London's Soho, near Private Eye's office, the newspaper said.

Roads in the area were closed following the incident, with police carrying out a search.

Mr Hislop, 64, has served as a team captain on the BBC comedy current affairs quiz show since its first episode in 1990, and has been the editor of Private Eye magazine since 1986.

Ian Hislop pictured with Paul Merton in the Have I Got News For You studio

A Metropolitan Police spokesman told The Guardian: "Police were called at 10.10am on Tuesday 1 October to a report of a firearms discharge on Dean Street, Westminster.

"The driver of a London black taxi reported he was stationary in traffic when a shot was fired towards his vehicle, striking the window. There were no injuries. An investigation has been launched."