BBC Question Time host Fiona Bruce broke down in tears during Thursday night's programme as she announced the death of a long-serving producer.
The 60-year-old presenter became visibly emotional whilst sharing news of the passing of Alison Fuller, who had worked on the show for 27 years.
The announcement came at the end of the programme, with Bruce struggling to maintain her composure as she delivered the devastating news to the studio audience.
"I just want to say before we go," Bruce began, before becoming overwhelmed with emotion. "But very sadly last week we lost a well loved..." she continued, before pausing and saying "Oh my gosh."
Fuller had died following what was described as a short and sudden illness, leaving the Question Time team shocked by her loss.
The producer was a well-respected member of the BBC programme's staff, having dedicated nearly three decades to the show.
Fiona Bruce became emotional as she announced the news
BBC
During her tenure at Question Time, Fuller played a crucial role in shaping the programme's audience participation.
She was responsible for recruiting and speaking with audience members, with estimates suggesting she had interacted with over 100,000 people throughout her career.
Her work was fundamental to maintaining Question Time's reputation for engaging public discourse, as she carefully selected audience members who would contribute to the programme's discussions.
Fuller's dedication to the show spanned nearly three decades, making her one of Question Time's longest-serving producers.
Fiona Bruce announced
BBC
Her expertise in audience recruitment helped ensure the programme maintained its connection with viewers across the United Kingdom.
The sudden nature of her illness and passing has deeply affected the Question Time team, who had worked alongside her for many years.
Her loss represents the departure of one of the show's most experienced behind-the-scenes figures, whose work helped shape thousands of broadcasts over her 27-year career.After regaining her composure, Bruce continued with a heartfelt tribute to her colleague."She was responsible for recruiting audiences like you. We reckon she's spoken to well over I think 100,000 audience members in that time," the presenter explained.The emotional moment highlighted the close-knit nature of the Question Time production team.
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Fiona Bruce made the announcement during this week's Question Time
BBC
Bruce concluded her tribute with a moving message to Fuller's loved ones: "It was a very short and sudden illness and we were all shocked by her death and we miss her very much. I just want to send my love to Ally's family."
The loss has deeply affected the Question Time team, who had worked alongside Fuller throughout her extensive career with the programme.
Her passing marks the end of an era for the long-running BBC show, where she had been a constant presence behind the scenes for nearly three decades.
The emotional announcement came at the conclusion of last night's broadcast.
