The show which was broadcast live from the University (Sunday 5 June) gave students the opportunity to take on a range of roles with the BBC from operating the lighting desk to working in makeup.

The shoot-out came when three Television Production students all wanted to operate the live camera. The answer was a skills test, won by second year Shayn Dickens, where the BBC asked the three students to frame and focus shots under pressure.

"The visit from BBC East to transmit their live Sunday Politics show from University of Bedfordshire TV studios is a fantastic endorsement of our facilities, staff and students,” said Kathryn Wolfe, Course Co-ordinator Television Production. “Students from Television Production, Broadcast Journalism and Media Make up courses were all involved in the production itself.

“This is the third time BBC Sunday Politics East has used our TV studios for a live broadcast, and on each occasion our students take on more responsible roles, as the BBC team realise the skills we have to offer.

“It is realistic learning and employability at its best, and after Sunday lunchtime, 16 of our students could add a BBC credit to their CV's."

Students taking part on the day were:

• TV Production Students: Shayn Dickens , Kieran Nixon, Vato (Vakhang) Beridze , Adam Eldridge, Stella Moutsiou and Capri McPherson-Noel
• Media Make Up students: Konstantinos Galanis  and Ciara Healy
• Broadcast Journalism students: Joe Shine, Daryl Greenland,  Lawrence Sullivan, Ian Child  and Fabian Solomon
• Journalism students: Patricija Jordon and Deima Juskaite

Carl Turner a University of Bedfordshire intern with BBC Look East was also there operating the auto cue.

Stella Moutsiou said: “It was an amazing experience observing how professional television is made and it definitely gave me a good vision of how to be professional and working in a big team.

“I had the chance to observe how they deal with sound problems, how the floor manager communicates in the TV studio, how the presenter communicates with the director and the other way around. I was surprised on how friendly and positive the BBC crew was. “

The BBC team were full of praise for the students, with Producer Patrick Davies tweeting afterwards:  “Brilliant effort from them all and a credit to the University...many thanks @BBCLookEast”

The BBC Sunday Politics East Show included a debate on the EU referendum and featured

• Lisa Duffy, UKIP councillor and party director
• Alistair Burt, Conservative MP for Bedfordshire NE
• Chris Heaton-Harris, Conservative MP for Daventry
• Iain Martin, Vice Chancellor of Anglia Ruskin University

It can be viewed on  BBC iPlayer - Sunday Politics East

View photos from the day here