![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/139\/590x\/secondary\/Fiona-Bruce-4998200.jpg?r=1696602150510\")
<\/p>\nFiona Bruce has apologised after sparking a backlash on social media for referring to a BBC Question Time audience member as the “black guy”.<\/p>\n
The BBC host made the comment on last night’s show in Wolverhampton as she directed a microphone during a discussion on whether it is right to ban mobile phones in schools.<\/p>\n
Ms Bruce said: “The guy there in the middle, the black guy in the middle, yes you sir.”<\/p>\n
The audience member went on to make his point questioning why there was not more funding for schools.<\/p>\n
But Ms Bruce’s comment prompted criticism from Twitter users including former chief prosecutor Nazir Afzal.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Mr Afzal shared a clip of the moment and said: “Let\u2019s hear from the ‘black guy.'”<\/p>\n
Other Twitter users pointed out that Ms Bruce had identified other audience members by their clothing.<\/p>\n
The remark has been removed from the recording of the episode on BBC iPlayer.<\/p>\n
Ms Bruce said today: \u201cI totally understand why my words last night caused offence and I apologise.<\/p>\n
“I have spoken to the audience member directly and explained that usually I can see and describe an item of clothing or otherwise to help sound engineers with a microphone find people in the audience.<\/p>\n
“Last night that was not the case as my view was obscured. 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.<\/p>\n
“Nonetheless, I feel it was wrong to identify him as I did and that\u2019s why it was removed from the later edited programme.\u201d<\/p>\n
A BBC spokesperson added: \u201cWe regret the choice of words used to identify the audience member.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“As such the recorded version on iPlayer has been edited to remove this.\u201d<\/p>\n
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