THE TalkTV/Sun Tory leadership debate dramatically went off-air after an incident took place in the studio.
As Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss were clashing once again over taxes, NHS funding and the economy in their second head-to-head televised debate, a loud crash interrupted the two Tory rivals.
The Foreign Secretary looked visibly worried and could be heard saying “oh my god”, as she walked off the stage.
The programme immediately went off-air, with a message appearing on the screen, saying: “We are sorry for the disruption to this programme.
“We are working hard to fix the issue and will return to normal programming soon.”
A Sun spokeswoman said the debate was paused because of a medical issue.
“There was a medical issue, we hope to be back on air soon,” she said.
TalkTV confirmed that its political editor Kate McCann fainted during the debate.
A spokesperson for TalkTV said: "Kate McCann [below] fainted on air tonight and although she is fine, the medical advice was that we shouldn't continue with the debate. We apologise to our viewers and listeners."
Later, Truss extended her sympathies to McCann and said she was "sorry" the debate had to end early.
She said on Twitter: “Relieved to hear @KateEMcCann is fine.
“Really sorry that such a good debate had to end.
“Look forward to catching up with Kate and the rest of the @TheSun @TalkTV team again soon.”
Sunak also wished the journalist well. He said: “Good news that you’re already recovering @KateEMcCann.
“It was a great debate and I look forward to getting grilled by you again shortly.”
Concerned viewers and fellow journalists sent their well wishes to McCann after the incident.
"Thoughts with the great Kate McCann, who was bossing the debate as expected. I am hearing that she is doing ok," said TimesRadio's Stig Abell.
Meanwhile Daily Mirror political editor Pippa Crerar wrote: "Talk TV’s @KateEMcCann was doing a brilliant job presenting tonight’s leadership debate. She’s a total pro. Most important thing is that she’s okay."
McCann was meant to appear alongside The Sun’s political editor Harry Cole, but he tested positive for Covid-19 earlier today.
Before the TalkTV debate cut out, Sunak was asked if he had the “guts to stand up to (Vladimir) Putin”.
Andrew from London, a co-ordinator for a logistics company at Heathrow Airport, said: “My main worry is the winter fuel bills, what do you plan to do about the winter full bills?
“And, for Rishi, I want to ask you a question, do you actually have the guts to stand up to Putin this winter when he turns off all the gas pipes to Europe?”
Sunak said: “Yes, Andrew, is the quick answer and the reason you can believe me is because as chancellor I did a couple of things that demonstrates that strength, a year and a half ago I made sure that our armed forces got the largest uplift in funding that they’ve had since the end of the Cold War to make sure that we’re protected against threats, like Putin.
“As chancellor I also worked with all my finance ministers around the world to put in place a sanctions package, the likes of which we had never seen to try and tighten the grip on Putin’s war machine, stop funding going to him and it does require toughness to stand up to him and it is going to require all of us to go through some difficult times.”
