Who is Julie Etchingham? Meet ITV general election debate host known for mortifying 'hot mic' moment with Lord Cameron

On Wednesday evening, Sir Keir Starmer and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak went head-to-head once again as ITV hosted a general election debate between the leaders of the UK's two largest parties. 

It marks the second in a packed line-up of debates throughout June, all hosted by either the BBC, ITV or Sky - which comes after Mr Sunak challenged Sir Keir to six TV debates leading up to the general election, with one debate each week. 

Julie Etchingham, a veteran journalist and presenter who has been with ITV since 2008, hosted ITV's second debate last night, which featured senior figures from seven of the UK's largest parties.

With at least some version of a debate scheduled weekly until the final face off on June 26, it remains to be seen if the party leaders will participate in all or if deputies will step in for some.

Ms Etchingham is no stranger to hosting political debates, having hosted a significant debate featuring the then-Prime Minister David Cameron in 2015 - but, who is the renowned journalist? Here's everything you need to know. 

Who is Julie Etchingham?

Julie Etchingham, 54, began her journalism career in 1994 as a trainee at the BBC before moving to Sky News in 2005. 

Born in 1969 in Leicester to teacher parents, she attended Cambridge University, earning a degree in English, according to The Independent. 

In 2008, she joined ITV News at Ten as a newscaster and continues in this role alongside other ITV projects, including the Tonight programme. 

Ms Etchingham is renowned for extracting the infamous confession from former Prime Minster Theresa May that the naughtiest thing she had ever done was 'run through a field of wheat.'

Alongside Phillip Schofield, she has since covered the Royal weddings of the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, and with Tom Bradby she co-presented coverage of the late Duke of Edinburgh's funeral.

What is the 'mic drop' moment that took place between Julie Etchingham and David Cameron in 2015?

Ms Etchingham is no stranger to political debates, having hosted the ITV Leaders' Debate in 2015, the only debate that cycle to feature then-Prime Minister David Cameron. 

She was praised for her composed moderating style, which earned her similar roles in the 2017 and 2019 leaders' debates and the 2022 Conservative leadership debate.

Despite her calm demeanor under pressure, Ms Etchingham experienced a notable slip-up in 2007 while working for Sky News. 

During a political event, she accidentally quipped an awkward response to David Cameron's remarks on immigration, unaware her microphone was on.  

Speaking about immigration at a political event, Mr Cameron said: 'Here our policy should be obvious...' before Ms Etchingham followed with: 'Extermination.'

Sky News quickly apologised for the incident, and Etchingham personally apologised to Cameron, calling it 'not my finest hour.'

Lord Cameron took it in good humour, having a toy Dalek delivered to Etchingham's home and recording a video for her 40th birthday poking fun at the gaffe. 

However, the string of heated debates between Starmer and Sunak promises to have a significant influence on votes as the UK heads towards the general election, with Etchingham's experienced hand guiding the discourse.