BBC'S Question Time was getting pelters today after a former UKIP candidate appeared on the show for a FOURTH time - breaking the programme's own rules.

Billy Mitchell turned up on the Beeb's flagship politics programme on Thursday night which aired from Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, wearing the same distinctive orange jacket he wore on a previous appearance.

5 Billy Mitchell on his first Question Time appearance in 2013

Mitchell, a flute band member who picked up just 34 votes when standing for UKIP in Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill in 2013, also popped up on the show in Kilmarnock and Stirling.

Incredibly, he was chosen to speak for a fourth consecutive time, a feat so unlikely that bookies would give odds of several thousand to one against it happening.

5 Self-professed Scottish patriot Billy Mitchell pictured on social media in full England kit Credit: Twitter

Mitchell has previously claimed to be a Scottish patriot but he has been snapped appearing in full England football team regalia on several occasions and even travelled to Russia to cheer on the Three Lions in last summer's World Cup.

5 Fiona Bruce now fronts the political panel debate show

Social media users expressed surprise that Mitchell, who refers to himself as 'Orange Jacket Man', was allowed to be on the show, now presented by Fiona Bruce, so many times.

The application form requires prospective guests to say whether they have previously been on the programme, and when.

Guests must also reveal who they would be most likely to vote for in a General Election, how they voted in the EU referendum, and whether they are a member of a political party.

5 Mitchell on the episode of Question Time that aired from Motherwell on Thursday, February 7th

Mitchell, a member of Livingston True Blues Flute Band, was selected from the audience to speak, and accused the SNP of being "hypocritical" in criticising Theresa May and the Conservative Party's handling of Brexit.

He criticised panel member Fiona Hyslop, SNP Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, saying there was no 'hard' or 'soft' option during the Scottish independence referendum.

5 Mitchell with his trademark orange jacket on one of his numerous QT appearances

Facebook user Peter Clive said: "Billy Mitchell, UKIP candidate in Coatbridge and Chryston, member of Livingston Flute Band, can always rely on BBC Question Time for a wee bit of limelight.

"He even has the same shell suit on he wore previously.

He added: "They should just stick him on the panel the next time they're in Scotland: he's practically the Scottish Farage now, thanks to the exposure they give him."



Twitter users also questioned the former UKIP candidates reappearance on the show.

User Eileen43eileen said: "His incoherent rant shouldn't have been allowed to go on for as long as it did."

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While Burdynumnum wrote on Twitter: "He's been on three times, had his question picked each time and been tweeted by a BBC twitter account.

"Now what are the chances?"

The BBC have been approached for comment.

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