Everyone knows Question Time is a fountain of hot-under-the-collar moments, but it all came to a head in an unprecedented move last night.
Chair David Dimbleby kicked a member of the audience out – a first in the show’s 38-year history.
When David Dimbleby tells you to go, YOU GO. #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/8Dv1Gauw3I
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) June 22, 2017
At one point in the BBC programme, said audience member shouted “tax the rich” and continuously interrupted panellist Gina Miller, the businesswoman who successfully took the Government to court over Brexit earlier this year, as she answered a question.In scenes you never expected to witness on the panel show, the usually patient and tolerant Dimbleby could no longer stand the incessant heckling of that one frustrated man in the audience.
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The long-serving broadcaster paused Miller’s speech and, in possibly the most polite booting-off ever, pointed and told the heckler: “Now hang on, listen, I think you ought to leave, you know.”
Someone just got kicked off question time and it's honestly the best telly I've watched in ages
— ct ?? (@cdthorrington) June 22, 2017
I've never seen anyone kicked off question time ?? #bbcqt
— ?? QUEEN ?? (@nakzinabox) June 22, 2017
The agitator, dressed to impress in a colourful shirt, grabbed his satchel and hurriedly made his way out of the Plymouth audience.
When you get kicked off Question Time for wearing the Twister mat as a shirt #bbcqt pic.twitter.com/vx1pQ6tlHJ
— Nick Dixon (@NickDixxon) June 22, 2017
Twitter considered it fair game.
Tbf the guy made a contribution but then continued to heckle and shout over other people. He was becoming too disruptive and domineering.
— London District (@d78stock) June 23, 2017
I think that's fair to ask him to leave. He kept shouting over the panel, even after he had his question.
— Dr Dominic Pimenta (@juniordrblog) June 23, 2017
The fully entertained audience cheered and whistled, and some even gave Dimbleby a standing ovation. For a few short seconds, the Question Time pilgrims were transported to Glastonbury levels of excitement as Dimbleby owned the stage.
Side note: Apologies if you now have the QT theme song stuck in your head – it’s a bit of an earworm.