BBC's Fiona Bruce sparks backlash as Question Time fans rage over 'annoying' habit | Television and radio

Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce has faced backlash from viewers at home after a fiery debate following Wednesday’s Budget announcement.

The BBC presenter was joined by leading political figures to discuss the country’s response to a barrage of new fiscal measures from Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

As the show unfolded, the Question Time audience took to social media to call for Bruce to leave the panel.

The presenter was accused of deliberately ‘increasing tensions’ between panellists and ‘interrupting’ guests, sparking anger among those trying to follow the discussion.

In a post on She is clearly receiving messages from producers to intervene. The program (becomes) a shouting match because she has increased the tension among the panel.”

Another chimed in: “Fiona Bruce lets your guests do the talking. Interrupting isn’t tense or smart, it’s annoying and patronizing. Stop it – this is not a debate, it’s a kick in the ass.”

Commenting on a social clip of Treasury Chief Secretary Darren Jones on the show, commentators noted that he was “interrupted many times by Fiona Bruce”.

Another demanded the presenter ‘let people speak’ as the panel struggled for airtime.

The show, which aired on Thursday evening, featured Labor cabinet member Darren Jones, Conservative MP Andrew Griffith, former Downing Street director of communications Sir Craig Oliver, Lib Dem MP Munira Wilson and businessman Sir Tom Hunter.

The panel faced a series of tough questions from the public, including economic policy, NHS reform and public confidence in Sir Keir Starmer’s government.

Bruce became the first full-time female presenter of Question Time in 2019, succeeding long-time presenter David Dimbleby following his decision to retire from the show.

Earlier this year she faced backlash from the studio audience after accusing Westminster SNP Leader Stephen Flynn of ‘having interrupted everyone here’.

A review of the program revealed that Flynn himself had been interrupted almost forty times during the show, by both fellow panellists and the presenter, leading MP Tommy Sheppard to BBC of showing a ‘general antipathy’ towards the SNP.

Another episode of Question Time aired in June received a flood of complaints after Bruce was accused of repeatedly interrupting SNP MSP Kate Forbes.