One Question Time panellist has exposed host Fiona Bruce’s true colours after appearing on Thursday’s episode of the BBC politics show (June 19). For a special episode focused on growing up in the 21st century UK, British YouTube star TommyInnit – full name Thomas Simons – joined controversial headteacher Katharine Birbalsingh, Jack Thorne, Peter Kyle MP and Lord Willetts.
Thomas’ mum Sarah was also able to sit briefly on the panel backstage, and shared her interaction with Fiona Bruce on X. She tweeted: “It was a surreal and wonderful experience to watch my lad be brilliant on BBC Question Time tonight. So proud of him.
“[Obviously] we did a few daft pics too. LOVE Fiona Bruce, she was glorious, and the BBC team was so kind and welcoming.” Accompanying the tweet were snaps of Fiona posing alongside Thomas and Sarah, and some behind-the-scenes snaps of them looking serious while sitting at the Question Time desk.
Thomas also broke his silence on Instagram, sharing a snap of him on the show with the caption: “I am on TV.”
But plenty of fans were fuming over the episode, as despite concentrating on growing up in the 21st century, Thomas was the only one on the panel aged under 45. Katharine Birbalsingh is 52 years old, while TV writer Jack Thorne is 46. MP Peter Kyle is 54, and Lord David Willetts is 69 years old.
Viewers took to social media to fume about the inherent “bias”, with one fuming: “You really couldn’t make it up. Question Time is now doing a whole show on what it’s like growing up in Britain today….with a panel that includes only one person under the age of 45.
“The average age of the panellists debating what it’s like being young in Britain today? 48. Farcical.”
Somebody else penned: “Imagine a Question Time special where a bunch of people in their 20s debate what it’s like being elderly in Britain today. Would never happen, or course, and nor should it. So why do you think this is OK?”