BBC veteran David Dimbleby to quit Question Time after 25 years

TELLY veteran David Dimbleby has revealed he is quitting the BBC’s flagship political programme Question Time after 25 years.

The presenting heavyweight, who turns 80 in October, will step down from the BBC1 show at on December 13.

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It is thought David, who is the longest-serving host of the show having filled the role since 1994, will remain the anchor for the Beeb’s general election coverage having covered every single one since 1979.

And last night a bun-fight over who would replace him had already begun, with a female host said to be prefered.

Those in the frame include Desert Island Discs’ Kirsty Young, 49, BBC2 presenter Victoria Derbyshire, also 49, and University Challenge’s Jeremy Paxman, 68.

Newsnight trio Evan Davis, 56, Kirsty Wark, 63 and Emily Maitlis, 47, are also in the mix.

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A TV source said: “It’s wide open right now. BBC bosses have until the end of the year to decide, but the initial thought is that it should be a female host for the first time. The Beeb is certainly not short of options on that front with more strong women contenders than male.”

Last night David said he was turning to his “first love” of reporting once he leaves the show.

He said: “At the end of the year I will have been chairing Question Time for a quarter of a century and I have decided that this is the right moment to leave.

"It has been a privilege to work for a programme which brings voters face to face with those in power. I am grateful to the production teams and to the BBC who have made this possible.

DIMBLEBY'S BEST MOMENTS

IN A PICKLES

Dimbleby scored points against MP Eric Pickles during the expenses scandal.

After the Tory moaned about having to arrive at the Commons on time ‘because it runs on clockwork’ he retorted: ‘Like a job, in other words.’

ROBIN COCK-UP

Among the host’s funniest moments was when he accidentally called a Labour grandee ‘Robin Cock’ instead of Cook.

The ex-Foreign Secretary, once exposed as having a mistress, responded: ‘Yes, David Bumblebee.’

ETON MESS

A jibe about Eton to Jacob Rees-Mogg MP backfired as he told Dimbleby: ‘I was at school with your son.’

"It has been exhilarating following the twists and turns of British politics from John Major in 1994, through the Blair and Brown years to Cameron and May. I am not giving up broadcasting.”

BBC director general Tony Hall called him a “titan” of British broadcasting.

He was preceded by Peter Sissons, who hosted between 1989 and 1993, and Robin Day from 1979 to 1989.

Three who may replace him

EMILY MAITLIS, who hosts Newsnight on BBC2, is the current favourite successor.

She was born in Canada to British parents and started as a trainee hairdresser before becoming a top TV presenter.

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KIRSTY WARK is also a host on Newsnight, along with its spin-off Newsnight Review from 2002 to 2014.

After the Lockerbie jet bombing in 1988 she was one of the first reporters on the scene.

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KIRSTY YOUNG has been the main presenter of Radio 4’s long-running Desert Island Discs since 2006.

She first found national fame as one of the standing-up newsreaders on Channel 5.

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