David Dimbleby quits Question Time: Here's who could replace him

David Dimbleby is to step down as presenter of BBC show Question Time later this year.

Here are some of the people who could be in the frame to replace the popular host.

Newsnight host Kirsty Wark
Newsnight host Kirsty Wark

Kirsty Wark

The Newsnight presenter has already voiced her desire to take on the role, revealing in an interview last month that she would throw her "hat into the ring" for the job if Dimbleby were to step down.

She told Good Housekeeping magazine: "I think there will be many people when David Dimbleby decides he doesn't want to do it any longer.

"I think I will be one of them, but I'm sure lots of people will throw their hats in the ring for that."

The 63-year-old has hosted BBC Two's Newsnight since 1993 and began her television career in 1982.

Question Time has never had a permanent female presenter since it began in 1979.

Emily Maitlis
Emily Maitlis

Emily Maitlis

Wark's Newsnight colleague could also be in the running for the role, having presented news programmes across the BBC and becoming one of the corporation's go-to presenters to cover big stories.

The 47-year-old has presented bulletins on BBC One, BBC News Channel and BBC World, and took on the job as a regular presenter of Newsnight in 2006.

She has previously spoken of her gentler interview style, and said she had made the decision not to ask questions which sounded "rude or aggressive" after Jeremy Paxman left the show in 2014.

Evan Davis

Completing the Newsnight trio, Davis could be seen as the man for the job.

The 56-year-old became a main presenter on the BBC Two show after Paxman's departure in 2014, having previously hosted BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

He is also the host of Dragons' Den, as well as a weekly business discussion show on Radio 4, The Bottom Line.

Nick Robinson
Nick Robinson

Nick Robinson

Having spent 10 years as the BBC's political editor, Robinson's experience could stand him in good stead.

Now a presenter on the Today programme, the 54-year-old has also worked across a number of the BBC's politics-related shows, such as The Daily Politics and Newsnight.

He is known for a provocative and sometimes confrontational interview style.

Jeremy Vine

Best known as the host of his own BBC Radio 2 programme, Vine has been working for the broadcaster since 1988.

In the mid-1990s he became a familiar face as a political reporter, and has been a long-standing presenter of the BBC graphics during election coverage.

The 53-year-old was also the first presenter of The Politics Show, and has hosted programmes such as Panorama, Points Of View and Eggheads.

However, Vine could find himself too busy to take on the role, having been named presenter of Channel 5's new daily current affairs show following the departure of Matthew Wright.

Vine will begin his new job in September.

Huw Edwards
Huw Edwards

Huw Edwards

The BBC News at Ten anchor is one of the most recognisable faces at the corporation, and has presented coverage of major national events, such as the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

He was also formerly chief political correspondent for BBC News, spending more than 14 years reporting from Westminster across a range of programmes.

The 56-year-old was also chosen to host both the 2015 general election and 2016 EU referendum coverage alongside Dimbleby.

He is seen by many as Dimbleby's natural successor.

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