On Thursday, October 6, 2023, during a live broadcast of the BBC’s Question Time in Wolverhampton, host Fiona Bruce sparked controversy by referring to an audience member as “the black guy in the middle” while directing a microphone to him for a question about mobile phone bans in schools. The comment, which was audible during the live airing on BBC iPlayer, was subsequently edited out of the recorded version uploaded to the platform, prompting widespread discussion and criticism on social media. This article explores the incident, the BBC’s response, and the broader implications.

The Incident

During the episode, Fiona Bruce, 59, was moderating a discussion and selecting audience members to pose questions to the panel, which included Transport Minister Richard Holden, Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth, writer Emma Dabiri, Iceland supermarket executive Richard Walker, and journalist Tony Parsons. While identifying audience members, Bruce typically described their clothing, such as a “woman in a colourful top.” However, when pointing to Roberto Gocan, a 35-year-old audience member, she said, “The guy there in the middle, the black guy in the middle, yes you, sir.” There was no immediate reaction in the studio, and Gocan proceeded to ask his question about mobile phone restrictions and school funding.

The remark, however, drew significant backlash on social media platforms like X, where users questioned why Bruce identified Gocan by his race rather than his clothing, as she had done with others. Gocan himself took to Facebook, writing, “Dear BBC, Why did you cut out Fiona Bruce saying ‘the black guy in the middle’ in the BBC One showing of BBC Question Time last night? It was audible on the live showing on BBC iPlayer. Why edit it if you think she said nothing wrong? Yours Sincerely, The guy in the blue top.”

BBC and Fiona Bruce’s Response

Following the social media outcry, the BBC confirmed that the comment was edited out of the iPlayer version, where Bruce’s description was changed to “the guy in the middle, yes you, sir.” Both Bruce and the BBC issued apologies for the incident. In a statement, Bruce explained that her view was obstructed, preventing her from identifying Gocan by his clothing, as was her usual practice to assist sound engineers in locating audience members. She stated, “I totally understand why my words last night caused offence and I apologise. I have spoken to the audience member directly… In the split second I had, the easiest thing to do would have been to ignore the audience member and move on, but I felt strongly that his voice should be heard. Nonetheless, I feel it was wrong to identify him as I did.”

Bruce personally called Gocan at 10:50 AM on Friday, October 7, 2023, to apologise, a gesture he acknowledged positively, though he remained curious about the BBC’s decision to edit the clip. A BBC spokesperson added, “We regret the choice of words used to identify the audience member. The intent was to ensure his voice was heard, however we recognise we should not have identified him in this way and apologise for any offence caused.”

Public and Media Reaction

The incident ignited a range of reactions. On X, former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal shared the original clip, commenting, “Let’s hear from the ‘black guy,’” and noted that Bruce could have described Gocan by his clothing, as she did with others. Some viewers, like Eddie Burfi, echoed this sentiment, posting, “Spot the difference. How hard is it to say ‘the man in the blue top’?” Others, however, felt the apology was unnecessary, with some Britons interviewed by GB News arguing that the term was not derogatory and that political correctness had gone too far. One individual remarked, “Why would she apologise for calling the black man a black man? Silly woman!”

The controversy also drew comparisons to a previous Question Time incident involving Nazir Afzal, who was asked to comment on racism first, prompting him to question whether the question was directed at him because of his skin colour.

Broader Implications

The incident raises questions about racial sensitivity in media and the BBC’s editorial decisions. Critics argued that editing the clip without addressing the underlying issue appeared evasive, as Gocan himself noted. The swift removal of the comment from iPlayer suggests an attempt to mitigate backlash, but it also fueled accusations of inconsistency, as viewers questioned why the BBC edited the clip if they believed no wrong was done.

This event also highlights the challenges public figures face in live broadcasts, where split-second decisions can lead to unintended consequences. Bruce’s explanation—that her view was obstructed—points to the practical difficulties of moderating a live audience, but her choice of words underscored the importance of consistent and neutral descriptors in such settings.

Conclusion

The removal of Fiona Bruce’s comment from the Question Time iPlayer version reflects the BBC’s attempt to address a racially insensitive remark that sparked significant backlash. While Bruce’s personal apology to Roberto Gocan was well-received, the incident underscores ongoing debates about racial descriptors in media and the transparency of editorial decisions. As discussions about inclusivity and sensitivity continue, this controversy serves as a reminder of the need for careful language in public forums, particularly on platforms as prominent as Question Time.