Question Time: Will it be Fiona?
Antiques Roadshow presenter is the latest to audition for Dimbleby role
FIONA Bruce has become the latest contender for David Dimbleby’s role on BBC1’s Question Time after auditioning with a live studio audience.
The Antiques Roadshow host and newsreader, 54, took control of a panel of MPs including Tory Johnny Mercer and Labour’s Nick Thomas-Symonds.
Fellow broadcaster Victoria Derbyshire, 50, also auditioned on Monday, with questions including, “Did people vote for Brexit for racist reasons?” and “Should there be a second referendum?”.
One audience member said Ms Derbyshire was better at interacting with the audience, with Ms Bruce more focused on controlling panellists. Broadcasters Kirsty Wark, Emily Maitlis, Samira Ahmed and Nick Robinson are believed to have auditioned a day earlier.
MPs were asked to participate in the secret episodes. The BBC is expected to go through them and make a decision. It has said it would not be commenting on auditions. Mr Dimbleby, 79, records his final episode at the end of the year.
Meanwhile footage showed Ms Bruce being rushed by police car between studios in London for BBC News at Six last night after a “technical issue” hit its HQ and a protest held up her taxi.
■ Job cuts will impact on content and be noticed by viewers, with more “difficult choices” ahead, a BBC report warns.