Yahoo News 'Inspired choice'? Reactions to Fiona Bruce 'Question Time' rumours
Fiona Bruce has reportedly been offered the role of presenter on Question Time, after David Dimbleby announced plans to leave the show after 25 years over the summer.
Following reports in The Guardian that Bruce is set to become the political panel show’s first female presenter, the BBC would not be drawn into a confirmation.
“We are not commenting on speculation,” said a spokesperson.
But that’s not stopped everyone else, of course.
Former BBC man Jeremy Vine called the potential appointment an ‘inspired choice’ in a tweet yesterday evening.
Inspired choice if so
“BBC offers Fiona Bruce job of #questiontime host”https://t.co/ua9dOWCPNE
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) November 22, 2018
Sky News’s Adam Boulton added that Bruce would be ‘the civilised choice’ for the role.
Many congratulations to Fiona Bruce. The civilised choice. https://t.co/X9IUOJ4rea
— Adam Boulton (@adamboultonSKY) November 22, 2018
Labour MP Liz McInnes reckons:
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. https://t.co/o7jAcD6ytM
— Liz McInnes (@LizMcInnes_MP) November 22, 2018
On Radio 5, Adrian Chiles said: “Just showing how good my contacts are, I’ve known Fiona for a number of years, like her very much, count her as a friend. I’ve texted her. She hasn’t replied.”
Fiona Bruce is rumoured to be taking over from David Dimbleby as the Question Time host.
We've got our best man (and friend of Fiona) on the case…
How did he get on?
…yep… good…#bbcqt pic.twitter.com/PH2hiZ4gGu
— Radio 5 Live on BBC Sounds (@bbc5live) November 22, 2018
Pollsters YouGov have also weighed in, with early polls suggesting that Bruce is a sturdily popular choice among the general public.
Fiona Bruce is in talks over taking the Question Time job, and YouGov Ratings data suggests she could be a popular choice. 86% of Brits have heard of the her, of which:
55% have a positive opinion
6% have a negative opinion
26% have a neutral opinionhttps://t.co/PlZfxvR7Bv pic.twitter.com/xMjdyRnurT— YouGov (@YouGov) November 23, 2018
Meanwhile, others suggested her tenure on Antiques Roadshow could stand her in good stead.
Congratulations to Fiona Bruce, who if reports are to believed, is the new presenter of #BBCQT.
Fiona has been the presenter of Antiques Roadshow for ten years now which means she has vast experience in dealing with Victorian relics such as Jacob Rees-Mogg. pic.twitter.com/4RWnVZMSuJ
— Charlie Proctor (@MonarchyUK) November 22, 2018
But while there’s plenty of support for Bruce’s potential appointment, other reckon that Kirsty Wark may have been a better choice.
Fiona Bruce presenting #questiontime ? Kirsty Wark surely deserves the role.
— Benno (@Benno1uk) November 23, 2018
Fiona Bruce to replace David Dimbleby as Chair of BBC Question Time? She's going to need to seriously toughen up to do that job. Would have much preferred Kirsty Wark #c4news #bbcaq #patsy
— Rick Harris (@LongWordMonthly) November 22, 2018
The shortlist of potential replacements for Dimbleby also reportedly included Andrew Neil, Emily Maitlis, Emma Barnett and Victoria Derbyshire.
Speaking to PA, Bruce said: “I’m not making any comment at all.”
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