Fiona Bruce fought to hold back tears during the final moments of Thursday’s Question Time.
The newsreader, 60, shared the news that her colleague and former producer on the BBC programme, Alison Fuller, had died after a ‘sudden illness’.
‘That is all for this week,’ Fiona began at the end of the debate programme.
‘I just want to say before we go, that very sadly last week we lost a well-loved presenter.’
Taking a breath as she choked back tears, she said: ‘Oh my gosh, I’m going to go as well.’
‘One of Question Time’s longest-serving producers Alison Fuller, she worked on his programme for something like 27 years.
‘She was responsible for recruiting audiences like you and we reckon she spoke to something like well over a 100,000 audience members in that time.’
Fiona added: ‘It was a very short and sudden illness and we are all shocked by her death and we miss her very much.
‘I just want to send my love to Ali’s family.’
Fuller had worked as an audience producer on Question Time since September 1998, having previously held other roles at the corporation.
Thursday’s Question Time was branded one of the ‘most emotional’ by viewers, as the final question saw a Ukrainian refugee open up about wanting to return home after the end of the war.
‘My parents live on the frontline,’ she began, breaking down into tears.
‘I wish I could see my family all together because they are separated in occupied territory,’ she tearfully said.
‘Powerful and heartbreaking,’ journalist Peter Stefanovic wrote on X.
‘Heartbreaking. I’d be beside myself. She and her fellow Ukrainians are so brave,’ @beez104 added.
‘My heart breaks for this girl. I hope her parents stay the safest,’ @charlottes1993 said, to which @welshTracy replied: ‘Bless her. I actually cried.’
‘Someone please give her a hug,’ @JasonTendring added.
The debate was held in London and was focused on the ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine.
The panel included General Sir Nick Carter, Lesia Vasylenko, Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Sir Ben Wallace and Jan Halper-Hayes.
Question Time airs Thursdays at 10.45pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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