Fiona Bruce has revealed she is expecting viewers to wonder "who the hell" she is as she makes her debut on Question Time.
The news broadcaster was announced as David Dimbleby's replacement on the political programme in December after he stepped down from the role after 25 years.
Bruce said the new job feels "massively exposing,” but that she will try not to let her nerves show.
"I am expecting people to say 'Who the hell is that?' 'Why have they got her?' I've got a slight feeling of tin hats at the ready," she told The Daily Telegraph.
She added that she has "not felt this nervous in a long time, but I know that if I am nervous that isn't helpful".
"If people think you are nervous then that isn't a comfortable watch," she said.
Bruce, 54, is the first woman to chair the political programme, which is returning on Thursday night after a short Christmas break.
She won the role after reportedly fending off competition from the likes of Kirsty Wark, Emily Maitlis, Nick Robinson and Victoria Derbyshire.
Bruce said she thinks the BBC was "as surprised as everybody else" when Dimbleby stepped down, because she did not expect to be approached for the role
"It's very unusual for the BBC not to have all their ducks in a row for a programme like this," she said.
The broadcaster, who has hosted programmes including Fake or Fortune? and Crimewatch, also said to be given the challenge of Question Time at the age of 54 "is a thrill".
Question Time airs on BBC One, Thursday at 10:45pm
