Jarlath Regan, Ian Coppinger, Carol Tobin, Alan Shortt and Evelyn O'Rourke made their debuts on the show as panellists in the 2008–09 season. Karl Spain also made a return in the fifth episode. Upon Ivan Yates's appearance in the sixth episode it was claimed that he was now the record holder of guest appearances on "The Panel" and the political bookmaker went on to guest-host an episode of the show in 2009. For the first three episodes of 2009 no female was present on "The Panel" for the first time; this was rectified in the fourth episode of the year with the addition of Evelyn O'Rourke.