Fiona Bruce: 'Who the hell is that?' New Question Time presenter addresses first show
FIONA BRUCE has spoken out about her nerves ahead of her first turn as host on Question Time tonight, after it was announced she was replacing David Dimbleby last month.
Question Time: David Dimbleby signs off after 25 years as host
Fiona Bruce will officially take over from David Dimbleby on Question Time this evening, following his 25 years at the helm. The journalist admitted that she is expecting viewers to ask "who the hell" she is when the programme airs. The 54-year-old claimed she had "not felt this nervous in a long time” prior to the instalment, the first since its Christmas break. The News At Ten presenter said that it feels "massively exposing", as a job, but that she will try not to let her nerves show.
I’ve got a slight feeling of tin hats at the ready
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph, Fiona commented: "I am expecting people to say 'Who the hell is that?' 'Why have they got her?'
“I’ve got a slight feeling of tin hats at the ready."
The mother-of-two continued, saying she has "not felt this nervous in a long time, but I know that if I am nervous that isn't helpful.
"If people think you are nervous then that isn't a comfortable watch.”
Fiona is the first woman to chair the political programme, after previously working on the likes of Fake or Fortune? and Crimewatch.
The star said she thinks the BBC was "as surprised as everybody else" when David, 80, stepped down, because she did not expect to be approached for the role.
Here is the first picture of Fiona on the set! Join us tonight from 10:45pm on @BBCOne and @bbc5live as Fiona brings you the first Question Time of the year. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/QXajD3T2CZ
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) January 10, 2019
"It's very unusual for the BBC not to have all their ducks in a row for a programme like this," she said.
The broadcaster went on to say that to be given the challenge "is a thrill", but that she did not know why she succeeded.
Last month, Fiona stated that she was looking forward to Question Time, "particularly at a time of such historic change for the UK and tumult at Westminster".
She won the coveted role after candidates hosted a pilot episode with panellists and a live audience.
It was reported that she fended off competition from the likes of Kirsty Wark, Emily Maitlis, Nick Robinson and Victoria Derbyshire.
BBC’s Fiona Bruce presents News at Six from Millbank
Earlier today, the official Question Time Twitter page gave fans an update on what they could expect.
Posting a photo of Fiona sat at the famous desk, she was seen in a navy blazer and a dark pink blouse.
It was captioned it: “Here is the first picture of Fiona on the set!
“Join us tonight from 10:45pm on @BBCOne and @bbc5live as Fiona brings you the first Question Time of the year. #bbcqt.”
Question Time will return tonight at 10.45pm on BBC One.