A PANEL of political experts came to Southend for this week's edition of the BBC's Question Time, but one audience member in particular captured the attention of watching viewers.

The panel show, hosted by David Dimbleby, was filmed at the Cliffs Pavilion, in Westcliff, with guests including former government ministers Yvette Cooper and Dominic Raab.

Inevitably, in the week of Donald Trump's victory in the American presidential election, much of the episode focused on events Stateside.

And one audience member, wearing a distinctive purple jumper, gave a particularly impassioned speech.

Despite stating he was not a supporter of Trump, the audience member's call for positivity and optimism about trade prospects was well-received, both by fellow audience members in the theatre and TV viewers posting on social media.

The show also saw Rochford councillor James Cottis, who had campaigned in Florida for the Republicans, tell the panel that, in the long-run, he believed Mr Trump "would be a good president".

Echo: