Question Time host David Dimbleby bowed out on Thursday night after 25 years presenting the current affairs programme, saying: "Thank you all, our audiences, both at home and in the studios, very much [...] From me, a Happy Christmas, and not goodbye but goodnight." The 80-year-old received a standing ovation from both the audience and the guests.
'From me, a happy Christmas and not goodbye, but goodnight'
— BBC Question Time (@bbcquestiontime) December 13, 2018
David Dimbleby receives a standing ovation from the panel and audience as he says goodbye to BBC Question Time after 25 years. #bbcqt #dimblebye pic.twitter.com/3ldAPY6STR
Following a show, in which the panellists, including former Brexit Secretary David Davis, Green MP Caroline Lucas and comedian Jo Brand, had discussed Brexit, Dimbleby said: "This programme marks the end of my tenure as the chair [...] After a quarter of a century I'm off to new pastures, or at least in search of new pastures, but I didn't want to end without saying something about this programme.
“It is, of all the programmes I’ve ever work on for the BBC, a truly team effort and I did want to end by thanking the people who have made it possible over the past 25 years.
"Above all I wanted to thank you here tonight – this audience. You're joining over 100,000 people over the past 25 years who have been in the Question Time audience and who've exercised what I think is a really important democratic right: putting questions to the panel and [arguing] with each other as you have been tonight."
Dimbleby, who was preceded by Peter Sissons, first presented Question Time on January 13 1994. Fiona Bruce will take the helm when the programme returns in January next year.
Ahead of his final Question Time appearance, Dimbleby said: "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.
"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."
Tributes continue to pour in for Dimbleby on social media.
Congrats to the great David Dimbleby as he bows out from @bbcquestiontime tonight after 25yrs.
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) December 13, 2018
I’ve appeared on the show 22 times with him & shared many a laugh, jibe & heated debate.
But always a delightful dinner afterwards.
Great broadcaster, great guy. 👍 pic.twitter.com/lJVmlyZnBL
A real honour to have been on David Dimbleby's last ever #bbcqt.
— Caroline Lucas (@CarolineLucas) December 13, 2018
After 25 years he still keeps holding politicians to account - and quite rightly doesn’t let us get away with a thing. It’s terrifying (in a good way...)
Wishing him all the best for the future #Dimblebye
#BBCQT David Dimbleby gets the biggest cheer he’s ever got when he turns to David Davis, asks him for a Brexit joke, then says: “Some people might say, you are the joke about Brexit.” Never so good as in his signing off programme!
— Mom de plume 🕷 #FBPE wear a mask (@NargisWalker) December 13, 2018
Wonderful host David Dimbleby, steps down as chair from Question Time. Well done on 25yrs of allowing the public and MPs to engage in meaningful debate #bbcqt #Dimblebye https://t.co/KuOofUbmML
— Philip Reilly (@PhilA_Reilly) December 14, 2018
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