By Major Tom

(Editor’s note: During an online discussion about last week’s dreadful episode of BBC’s Question Time, Major Tom revealed that he had once attended a recording of the programme. We invited him to share his experience. Here’s his short account of what happened. Readers can decide for themselves about the extent of stage-managing involved in this programme.)

I attended BBC’s Question Time last year. Beforehand, you were asked to describe your politics if any and to give two current news questions.

They asked me to bring photo ID when attending the recording. Everyone checking in, photo ID's at the ready, were individual people due to the application process. On arrival, they ask u for another up to date question from that week’s top news stories.

I got through registration to coffee and biscuits where we mingled until Dimbleby came back stage to introduce himself and explain proceedings.

Most of us were in little groups, talking about the questions we wanted to ask. I was talking with a group of about 6, all of whom had questions on the jimmy saville scandal which was again BIG news that week and even that day.

We were called into the makeshift studio and a bit of a race was on for front row and prominent seats. I took a seat at the back. I noticed two sets of 3 seats were RESERVED.

An audience panel was picked, chaired by a QT worker, & we warmed up discussing obesity, so it was a funny, lively warm up debate.

The chosen questioners were picked & taken back stage to be coached Just before filming was due to start. Then, just before the panel took their places, the 6 reserved seats were filled by two sets of three from backstage. the set of three by me, all of them with notes and taking notes, included one of the questioners. The other set of 3 got to comment a lot during the recording.

Later in the pub opposite, a whole gang of audience members were discussing our 15 seconds of TV and we all, bar none, mentioned we had 1 of our 3 questions on jimmy saville & were puzzled as to why no question about saville was picked. Then someone bought up the reserved seats issue and we all thought certainly these 6 had been together in trying to embarrass 1 particular high ranking Labour figure. We all agreed that they were planted.

That is as much as I am prepared to say at present.