Seven hundred protesters and an outpouring of public anger could not stop David Dimbleby from hosting Question Time when Nick Griffin, the leader of the British National Party, appeared on the show. But a bullock has succeeded where anti-fascist protesters and politicians failed after it knocked the broadcaster, 71, unconscious in what the BBC described as a “minor farming accident”.

John Humphrys, the host of Radio 4’s The Today Programme, replaced Mr Dimbleby at the recording in Weston-super-Mare. Opening proceedings, Mr Humphrys said: “Being highly observant you will have noticed that I am not David Dimbleby. He’s had an encounter with a bullock and he came off worse.”

It is understood that Mr Dimbleby, who had not missed a Question Time since he first hosted the show in 1994, was loading the bullock on to a trailer at his smallholding on Wednesday in East Sussex, when it became agitated and knocked him to the ground. The broadcaster is believed to have attended Eastbourne District General Hospital, where he was kept in overnight.

A BBC spokesman said: “David is recovering well. He attended hospital but as he received a head injury he is staying in there for observation. This is just a precaution that is not unusual for a patient who is suffering concussion and he should return home shortly. David would like to thank the staff at the hospital and he looks forward to returning to Question Time.”

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Dimbleby said: “I haven’t missed a Question Time show in over 15 years. Trust my wife’s bullock to take me out. I’ll be giving bullocks a wide berth in the future.”

The two-year-old bullock is of the Dexter variety, which are known to be a relatively diminutive breed, growing to only 38in to 44in at maturity. They are predominantly black, but also come in dun and red varieties, always of a single hue.

Sue Archer, secretary of the Dexter Cattle Society, said: “They’re usually very calm. I’ve never heard of anyone being hurt by a Dexter before. I do wish him a speedy recovery.”

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