Head Girl of Jill Dando’s former school ‘masterfully chairs’ Zoom TV interview with BBC’s Fiona Bruce

By Jill Dando News

Students aged 9 to 18 quizzed TV legend Fiona Bruce as she appeared in their latest Jill Dando News TV Zoom interview.

The brilliant BBC presenter was asked a wide-range of questions by students in The Priory Learning Trust.

Olivia, aged 16, Head Girl of Worle Community School Academy, hosted the one-hour interview with questions on lockdown, journalism, careers, and more.

Fiona told the students how she turned down Strictly Come Dancing.

“I don’t want to ballroom dance”

Fiona Bruce

She said: “Strictly is a great show but you would have to really love it to want to put your self through it.

“It is a career move generally, not for everybody but a lot of people do it because they really love Strictly and really love to ballroom dance. I don’t want to ballroom dance so that is not a driver for me.”

She described her inspiration Jill Dando as the nation’s ‘sweetheart’, adding: There is no reason why you can’t be nice and successful.”

Fiona said: “It was an absolute delight to meet the students who had clearly put a lot of thought into their questions. A few of them really put me on the spot!

“And Olivia masterfully chaired it all with the ease of a professional. It was all very impressive and encouraging for the future of journalism.”

Jill’s older brother, Nigel, welcomed Fiona to Jill Dando TV.

In previous weeks the students have interviewed the BBC’s LA Correspondent Sophie Long, formerly of Weston-super-Mare.

Olivia said: “It has been a hugely rewarding experience to be a part of the interview with Fiona.”

Neville Coles, CEO of TPLT, said: “Our students are producing top-class standards of journalism with maturity and professionalism.”