Presenter is ‘thrilled and daunted’ to be new Question Time host

JOB SECURED: Antiques Roadhsow host Fiona Bruce, 54, will take up her role as Question Time presenter in January next year. FIONA BRUCE has been confirmed as the new presenter of Question Time – saying she is “thrilled and not a little daunted”. The news presenter and

Antiques Roadshow host, 54, will take up her role on the BBC One show when the new series returns on January 10. She secured the job, replacing veteran presenter David Dimbleby, after candidates hosted a pilot episode of the political programme, with panellists and a live audience. The BBC News At Six and News

At Ten host said: “It is an honour to be asked to take on one of the great political programmes of the BBC. Particularly at a time of such historic change for the UK and tumult at Westminster. For many years Question Time has been presented by one of my television heroes so I am thrilled and not a little daunted to be stepping into his shoes.”

Bruce will become the first female presenter of the BBC One current affairs panel show, which is a TV institution. 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 included Kirsty Wark, Emily Maitlis, Victoria Derbyshire, Nick Robinson, Jeremy Paxman, John Humphrys and Huw Edwards. Dimbleby first presented

Question Time on January 14, 1994, and is the show’s longest serving presenter. Bruce will continue to present the main news bulletins and host Antiques

Roadshow and Fake Or Fortune?.