The BBC presenter, who replaces David Dimbleby on Question Time, will host her first debate next week Mark Harrison for The Times

Fiona Bruce says she does not know how much she earns and rejects claims that BBC bosses chose her for Question Time because they wanted a woman.

The new role will make Bruce one of the highest paid staff members at the broadcaster but she confessed to not keeping track of her income.

“Because I’ve got four different jobs [with the BBC], I haven’t actually worked out where I’m going to end up,” she told The Times.

Bruce, 54, will take over from David Dimbleby next week when her first episode is broadcast on Thursday. She will continue to read the news and front Antiques Roadshow and the art history series Fake or Fortune?

It was not her idea to apply for the role, but…