Liverpool legend John Barnes will be on the BBC Question Time panel when the show is broadcast from Chester Town Hall this Thursday (February 21).

Jamaican-born Barnes had successful periods at Watford and Liverpool in the 1980s and 1990s and played for England 79 times.

He recently defended Irish actor Liam Neeson for his honesty about once having violent thoughts about killing a random black person 40 years ago after a friend was raped by a black man.

“I always say, we are all unconscious racists,” Barnes told Sky News. “And he said, unconsciously for a week and a half, that’s how he felt. We have people who have been doing it and keeping it quiet for 20 years, but as long as you don’t admit it then we think everything is okay.”

Fiona Bruce hosting BBC Question Time

Programme-makers invite people to apply to be a member of the audience when the long-running BBC1 show, now hosted by Fiona Bruce, comes from Chester.

Speaking before it was announced seven Labour MPs including Chuka Umunna had left the party, Fiona told viewers: “I should tell you that Question Time comes from Chester next week where we will be joined by England footballing legend John Barnes and the following week we are in London with Labour MP Chuka Umunna and by the novelist Lionel Shriver.”

Potential audience members must submit two questions for consideration and answer a series of questions when applying to help ensure a balance of people and views in the room. However, this information is treated in confidence.

Chester Town Hall. Picture: David Sejrup

Among the questions asked are ‘How did you vote in the EU Referendum ?’ and ‘If there were a General Election tomorrow, for which political party would you be most likely to vote?’.

The producers also want to know the age and gender of each applicant, to which ethnic group they belong and if the person considers themselves to have any disabilities.

And Question Time also wants to know about political party membership including how active the person is within their party.

Horseradish, who run Chester Town Hall, expect the event will be held within the Assembly Room.

■ To apply to be an audience member, call 0330 123 99 88 or visit the website.

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