Jump directly to the content


QUESTION TIME returns tonight under its new format.

Social distancing will continue to be observed, with guests two metres away from each other and no studio audience - but who is appearing on the show?

⚠️ Read our coronavirus live blog for the latest news & updates

 BBC Question Time returns tonight, but the studio audience will not be present
7
BBC Question Time returns tonight, but the studio audience will not be presentCredit: AFP or licensors

What time does Question Time start tonight?

Question Time started at its new, earlier time of 8.05pm.

Before the coronavirus outbreak, the show commenced at 10.45pm.

The show was meant to take place in Rugby this week, but the panel are not travelling and have asked residents of Rugby to send in their questions.

7

Who is the host?

Fiona Bruce

 Fiona Bruce has hosted Question Time since January 2019
7
Fiona Bruce has hosted Question Time since January 2019

Fiona Bruce has been hosting Question Time since January 10, 2019.

She was brought in to replace long time show host David Dimbleby, and appeared on the debut editon of the programme's new series.

Fiona has spent most of her career at the BBC, presenting Crimewatch and becoming the first female newsreader on the BBC News At Ten.

Who is on the guest panel?

Yvette Cooper MP

 Yvette Cooper is a former Shadow Home Secretary and ran for the Labour leadership in 2015
7
Yvette Cooper is a former Shadow Home Secretary and ran for the Labour leadership in 2015Credit: PRU

Yvette Cooper has been Labour MP for Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford  since 2010.

The former Shadow Home Secretary is married to ex-Shadow Chancellor and Strictly contender Ed Balls.

In 2008, they became the first married couple ever to sit in Cabinet together when she was appointed Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Balls was Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families.

Cooper ran for the Labour leadership in 2015 and finished third in the contest with 17 per cent of the vote, behind Jeremy Corbyn and Andy Burnham.

John Sentamu - Archbishop of York

 John Sentamu has been Archbishop of York since 2005
7
John Sentamu has been Archbishop of York since 2005Credit: Getty - Contributor

John Sentamu became the first black Archbishop in the Church of England when he was enthroned at York Minster with a ceremony of African singing and dancing and contemporary music.

Born in Kampala, Uganda Sentamu has been a long-time campaigner against poverty, while also speaking out against Robert Mugabe's regime in Zimbabwe and some aspects of multiculturalism.

He will retire as Archbishop on June 7 this year.

Donna Kinnair

 Donna Kinnair is Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing
7
Donna Kinnair is Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of NursingCredit: Handout

Donna Kinnair has held the position of Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing since August 2018.

She has specialised in child protection, providing leadership in major hospital trusts in London, teaching, and advising on legal and governmental committees.

She has called the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) available to nurses during the coronavirus pandemic "unacceptable".

Matt Hancock MP

 Health Secretary Matt Hancock is back on Question Time
7
Health Secretary Matt Hancock is back on Question TimeCredit: EPA

The UK Health Secretary will return to Question Time just two weeks after he was last on the show.

Should he appear in the studio, that would suggest he has recovered from coronavirus and has undergone the necessary period of self-isolation after admitting he had caught the virus last week.

On the show, he will explain more about the government's new testing plan which is going to be revealed today.

Topics