No more questions as Dimbleby calls time
Female presenters expected to feature heavily on shortlist as Question Time veteran quits role
David Dimbleby is to step down as host of Question Time after 25 years, prompting fevered speculation as to who will take over one of the BBC’S most coveted jobs. The corporation announced Dimbleby will leave the political debate programme at the end of the year to return to his “first love” of reporting, following his 80th birthday.
DAVID DIMBLEBY is to step down from Question Time after 25 years, as the BBC fires the starting gun on the race for its most prestigious hosting job.
The corporation has announced Dimbleby will leave the political debate programme at the end of the year to return to his “first love” of reporting, after his 80th birthday.
The BBC will be under heavy pressure to promote a woman into the senior role, with Kirsty Wark and Kirsty Young both being linked with the job in recent weeks.
The search for a presenter comes after the BBC gender pay gap scandal, which saw a disparity between the salaries commanded by senior men and high-profile women at the corporation.
Dimbleby’s own salary was not published, under a loophole that meant shows made by independent production companies, such as Question Time, were exempt, but he is thought to be among the BBC’S highest earners. He is one of only three presenters in the history of Question Time, and its longest-serving host by some 15 years. Announcing his decision to leave the show, Dimbleby said: “At the end of the year I will have been chairing Question Time for a quarter of a century and I have decided that this is the right moment to leave.
“It has been a privilege to work for a programme which brings voters face to face with those in power.
“I am grateful to the production teams and to the BBC who have made this possible.
“It has been exhilarating following the twists and turns of British politics from John Major in 1994, through the Blair and Brown years to Cameron and May.
“I am not giving up broadcasting. Instead, after years in the studio, I now plan to return to my first love: reporting.”
Lord Hall of Birkenhead, the BBC’S director-general, said: “David has been at the helm of Question Time for over 25 years: a brilliant champion of the public and the audiences’ friend – getting the answers they want on the big and difficult issues of the day.
“Always a commanding figure, David has ensured Question Time has not only stayed relevant through the years, but a must-watch for those interested in politics and current affairs. David may be stepping down from Question Time, but he isn’t stepping down from broadcasting. He is a titan in British broadcasting.
“The BBC and the public are extraordinarily lucky to have him in what are – to say the least – interesting times politically and socially. We look forward to working with him on other projects in the future.”
BBC executives are understood to have been considering future options for some time, despite Dimbleby’s insistence he would continue to “turn up if they want me”. In a magazine interview last month, Kirsty Wark said: “I think there will be many people when David Dimbleby decides he doesn’t want to do it any longer. I think I will be one of them, but I’m sure lots of people will throw their hats in the ring for that.”
Kirsty Young was named by a newspaper in May as a front-runner, with Mishal Husain, the presenter of the Today programme on BBC Radio 4, also believed a worthy successor after chairing the 2017 election debates. High-profile men including Evan Davis and Huw Edwards are likely to be tipped for consideration, with programme-makers expected to strive for a shortlist reflecting the gender and ethnic diversity of Britain. David Dimbleby has been Question Time’s longest-serving presenter, taking the helm on January 13, 1994 after Peter Sissons (19891993) and Robin Day (1979-1989).
His final broadcast will be on Dec 13, after which he is expected to focus on making news documentaries for the corporation.