Sophie Raworth has been forced to pull out of refereeing the final BBC election debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer – after realising she has a broken ankle.
The presenter had been due to moderate the clashes on June 26, likely to be the final major moment before the country goes to the polls on July 4.
However, the corporation revealed this afternoon that Raworth had asked to be replaced because she is on crutches and has her foot in a support boot.
Instead Mishal Husain, who was in charge of the seven-way debate last week, will take over the duties.
Raworth said: ‘The injury I picked up at the London marathon has now been diagnosed as a fracture in my ankle. I was only told this last week during the D-Day commemorations. I’m now on crutches, in a boot and non-weight-bearing for some time.
Sophie Raworth has been forced to pull out of refereeing the final BBC election debate between Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer – after realising she has a broken ankle (pictured doing the 2022 London Marathon)
Raworth has often taking on debate hosting duties, including the 2022 Tory leadership contest between Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss in Stoke-on-Trent
Mishal Husain, who was in charge of the seven-way debate last week (pictured), will take over the June 26 clashes
‘Mishal Husain is a fantastic presenter and will be brilliant at moderating what is a really important debate for both the two leaders and the BBC. I’m delighted she is doing it.’
Husain said it was ‘remarkable’ that her colleague had been able to work through the injury in recent weeks.
‘I can’t see myself ever stepping into her running shoes but she can count on me for this, as the two prime ministerial candidates face each other for their last television encounter,’ she said.
Jonathan Munro, Deputy CEO of BBC News, said it was ‘not only football managers who need to worry about foot injuries’.
The duration of the head-to-head debate between Mr Sunak and Sir Keir has been extended to an hour and a quarter, starting at 8.15 pm on Wednesday June 26.
Raworth will continue to present BBC News bulletins and will still present the second day of the BBC’s general election night coverage.
