24 September 2023 , 20:22
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BBC viewers have called on the broadcaster to replace Laura Kuenssberg with Victoria Derbyshire after the latter stepped in for the former on her titular show this weekend.
On Saturday, it was confirmed Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg would be hosted by Victoria – who previously fronted her own BBC show – instead. Laura shared a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, in which she told her followers she would be missing from her latest show.
She wrote: "Sorry everyone, I can’t make #bbcLaurak or #newscast this weekend – but don’t miss @vicderbyshire in the chair at 9 tomorrow on @BBCOne!" Victoria was tasked with interviewing defence secretary Grant Shapps, Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey and Rachel Johnson – journalist and the sister of ex-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Victoria grilled Mr Shapps on HS2 – the UK's planned new high-speed rail line – as well as the Government's climate commitments. Mr Shapps remarked that it had been a "while since he had been transport secretary" but, Victoria pushed the cabinet minister on comments he had made on he sales of new petrol and diesel cars and phasing out gas boilers.
The Victoria Derbyshire Show was taken off air (BBC)BBC viewers praised the presenter for questioning Mr Shapps on this comments with one tweeting: "Victoria Derbyshire is wiping the floor with Grant Shapps! @bbclaurak take note, this is how you hold politicians to account! #BBCLauraK Nice 1 Victoria!" Another added: "Victoria Derbyshire is an excellent interviewer holding people to account. Superb in not taking the Tory deception, deceit & evasion from Grant Shapps. Maybe she could be a permanent replacement for Laura K. #bbclaurak."
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"So far Victoria Derbyshire has taken Grant Shapps to the cleaners, destroyed Tory MP Craig Mackinlay and is now making Ed Davey look a fool. More of this please #bbclaurak," someone else shared. Another said: "Oooh. Laura K must have been watching Victoria Derbyshire & feeling a bit queasy. That’s how it’s done, Laura. #bbclaurak."
A fifth added: "Just watched Victoria Derbyshire on #bbclaurak give a masterclass in how to interview and hold politicians to account. Her razor sharp questions cut through the waffle as she pressed for answers to the questions asked. She would be excellent on #BBCqt."