This news is at least five years too late. Question Time is really struggling right now I feel. As a long term viewer my interest has waned over the past few years, maybe as a result of Brexit dominating everything, but the panels are becoming predictable and boring with the same few guests on rotation. Dimbley's chairing ability has also waned lately.
They need a host that will really force the panelists to keep on point, not allow them to play for time and not allow things to become the bun fight it so often is now. It has to be someone with the gravitas and authority to lead a crown jewel BBC program. I can imagine Kirsty Walk being strong in the running. Potentially Anita Anand given she only seems to do Any Answers these days and was previously co-host of The Daily Politics. Highly unlikely to be anyone male aged over 50.
Not only does Zeinab tick many of the (imaginary in some cases) boxes that are referred to above, but first and foremost, she is an excellent broadcaster with an exceptional command of all manners politics and is also a highly experienced moderator and host.
Until recently I'd have thought Jeremy Vine would have been high on the list of potential successors, though the announcement of his Channel 5 show makes him less likely. To throw another name into the hat Richard Bacon has in the past presented Young Voter's Question Time, as well as appearing on the panel of the main show. However I wonder whether politics/diversity may dictate his successor being female. In theory as it's an independent show for the BBC the next presenter doesn't necessarily have to be someone associated with BBC news/programmes.
Until recently I'd have thought Jeremy Vine would have been high on the list of potential successors, though the announcement of his Channel 5 show makes him less likely. To throw another name into the hat Richard Bacon has in the past presented Young Voter's Question Time, as well as appearing on the panel of the main show. However I wonder whether politics/diversity may dictate his successor being female. In theory as it's an independent show for the BBC the next presenter doesn't necessarily have to be someone associated with BBC news/programmes.
Completely agree, there are diversity targets - I would be surprised if it isn't Kirsty Wark.
You wonder if Jeremy Vine will be cursing his decision to take The Wright Stuff now. Having said that, he's only one of a huge pile of presenters who could do this show.
For me, you need someone who is populist (it's BBC One), who can chair impartially but press politicians if they're not answering the questions, without taking over the entire show and making it about them. On more than one count, that (unfortunately) rules out Piers Morgan. Jeremy Vine may well have been a decent shout, but he is somewhat oversubscribed right now.
For me, Kirsty Wark would be the safe choice and Emma Barnett would be the exciting, risk-taking one.
I have 2 awards for journalism, 28 years in the broadcast news biz, including 11 at C4 News, currently presenting @newswatchbbc & @BBCFrontRow & an honorary fellow of St Edmund Hall, Oxford. I'm v well qualified to present @bbcquestiontime & I'd like to be seriously considered.