Question Time

Why? Ummm, let's think that perhaps since it started, Question Time has never been presented by a woman - A good enough reason alone.

I'm not alone either.... https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jun/18/question-time-bbc-opportunity-to-appoint-female-host

I actually shuddered at the mere thought of Victoria Derbyshire fronting Question Time.

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2018/jun/18/david-dimbleby-question-time-host-a-look-at-the-candidates

I always hate that idea - give somebody the chance to make the show their own. Really Have I Got News for You is the exception rather than the rule when it comes to guest hosts, and I also think a show like QT needs somebody who is clearly the moderator. You can't have a situation where guests and hosts are effectively interchangeable.


Regardless of the white male theories the names thrown out in the last 24 hours shows the BBC have far more suitable female candidates than male anyway. Of the men mentioned only Huw really seems suitable anyway.

Hope it's not Hugh Edwards, can't stand him.

Seems not!

I didn't mean anything like Have I Got News for You - they have a completely different host every week. This would be a regular set of presenters. They could even (gasp!) host on consecutive weeks.

Not sure Huw's point counts for much, of the powers that be at the BBC wanted him to do the QT gig the contract would not be an issue.

Huw has the benefit that he had always played his cards close to his chest when it comes to politics, you never really hear people suggesting he is biased, unlike certain others whose hats seem to have been thrown on the ring

Although it's arguable doing QT would risk is perceived impartiality on the news being compromised.

Paxo at 10/1 having lost out to Dimbles all those years ago - and having become increasingly critical of the Beeb since he left Newsnight.

According to the Guardian, it is possible that the Beeb would consider the slightly older Andrew Neil if they did decide to go for another established male presenter. William Hill are only offering 25/1 on him, however - and 16/1 on the older-still John Humphrys, who AFAIK hasn't presented any politics-related TV shows since On The Record ended, over 15 years ago...

(Of course, this is a "special" market, so these odds shouldn't be taken *too* seriously. )

Worth pointing out, too, that QT *has* been presented by a woman before - Sue Lawley standing in for Robin Day on several occasions in the mid '80s.

I'd agree with the theory put forward by Guido Fawkes that Kirsty Wark makes sense for the BBC in many respects. Question Time is produced in Glasgow and, as someone who regularly makes a similar commute down to London and back, I imagine it would be quite an attractive proposition for her to work on this in her home city. She's an experienced presenter, Question Time would have its first female presenter and it clearly decentralises a show from London in an era when many of us are concerned that too much is coming from the capital.

For me, the exciting proposition in this list is Emma Barnett. A tough questioner who would be good at forcing an answer from the guests. What I don't know is how the audience would take to a 33-year-old in the chair, and whether it may have just come a little too soon.

What wouldn't be a bad little succession plan is Kirsty Wark heading it up to start with, with the likes of Emma or whoever as stand-ins/on the conveyor belt ready to take over if it doesn't work for whatever reason.

I know its not a name that's been suggested previously but I think someone like Angela Rippon would be good to lead Question Time, she has the gravitas, is well respected and has been engaged in a variety of news and current affairs programmes for a number years across various broadcasters.

I think realistically, the BBC would want someone who's not too old which would rule out Andrew Neil.