Bruce is tipped for Question Time role

IT IS one of the most coveted jobs in current affairs, which has been held for a quarter-of-a-century by David Dimbleby.

But Fiona Bruce, inset, would not be drawn on whether she is being lined up for the job as Question Time host. The newsreader, 54, has been offered the plum role, replacing veteran presenter Mr Dimbleby, next year.

But the Antiques

Roadshow host was not divulging any details.

“I’m not making any comment at all,” she said yesterday.

Ms Bruce would become the first female presenter of the BBC One current affairs panel show, which is a TV institution.

Mr Dimbleby announced in June that he would be leaving the role in December, after 25 years in the presenter’s chair.

Names tipped among his possible successors had included Kirsty Wark, Emily Maitlis, Victoria Derbyshire, Nick Robinson, Jeremy Paxman, John Humphrys and Huw Edwards. A formal announcement could be made in the coming days, The Guardian newspaper has reported. BBC and Channel 5 presenter Jeremy Vine congratulated Bruce, saying: “Inspired choice if so.” Sky’s Adam Boulton described the presenter as the “civilised choice”. Twitter user Robert Harrison joked that Bruce’s experience on the Antiques Roadshow could serve her well on Question Time. “She’s used to handling old antiques so she’ll be fine,” he said. Labour MP Liz McInnes tweeted: “Quite surprised by this. Wonder if Fiona Bruce will accept the job? The tone of #bbcqt will certainly be different – at the moment it usually descends into a badly refereed shouting match.” A BBC spokesman said: “We are not commenting on speculation.”