'I was on Question Time and Fiona Bruce showed her true colours in BBC studio'
Anyone can apply to be in the studio audience of BBC's Question Time - and one guest shared an encounter with host Fiona Bruce.
Fiona Bruce quizzes Luke Pollard on BBC Question Time
One Question Time audience member has exposed what BBC host Fiona Bruce is like in real life. Andy Clarke, who writes for the Stuff And Nonsense website, explained how difficult it really is to secure a place in the stands after applying to be on the show.
Things kicked off with an application form on the BBC website – and escalated from there. Andy says he was contacted by a researcher for the show to quiz him on his previous TV experience, his political affiliations and voting history. Audience members even have to submit their social media details so they can be checked by BBC staff, before they’re able to secure a ticket. Audience members then submit two questions they’d like to ask the panel ahead of time, before turning up to the filming location where they’re handed extra question cards and treated to biscuits and hot drinks.
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Andy explained: “Fiona Bruce popped in to introduce herself, tell a few stories, and encourage everyone to contribute.” The audience were then led to their seats and given a warm-up before the panel appeared – including a run-down of the house rules.
According to Andy, these included not being allowed to bring a bag, wear badges or any clothes bearing a slogan and not leaving the set while filming was underway.
Fiona really showed her true colours later in the proceedings, with Andy writing: “A chirpy Scottish floor manager went through the house rules and warmed up the audience before Fiona Bruce came in to film different versions of adverts for upcoming shows, including one with all the party leaders. I don’t know why, but I was amazed just how professional and slick Fiona Bruce is.”
He added: “Fiona Bruce is funny and has a voice like melted chocolate.” But Andy was left disappointed at the end of the show, intending for some “casual interaction with the panel”, but says they were “whisked away before we could leave our seats”.
On his panel were Green Party member Carla Denyer and Labour’s Shabana Mahmood, both of whom requested cushions to sit on to boost them in their seats – but Andy claimed “the BBC budget didn’t run to two cushions, so [Denyer] had to sit on a folded rug.”
