Former STV anchor John MacKay is to return to the BBC, where he started his career as a trainee.
MacKay, one of the most familiar faces on Scottish TV over the past three decades, left the rival channel in March.
He is now set to return to the airwaves as a presenter on BBC Scotland's Scotcast, the current affairs programme published on BBC Sounds and BBC iPlayer and broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC One Scotland and the BBC Scotland channel.
The presenter, who was the main anchor of STV’s news coverage in central Scotland, will take the helm later this month while regular presenter Martin Geissler is away.
MacKay, who will begin presenting the podcast from Monday, August 24, will work with the Scotcast production team at BBC Scotland's Pacific Quay headquarters in Glasgow.
BBC Scotland is based at Pacific Quay in Glasgow. (Image: BBC)
He said: “I’m really looking forward to working with the Scotcast team. The podcast has set the standards in Scotland, and I relish the challenge of maintaining them in my time filling in. I’m already feeling the buzz of returning to the studio.”
MacKay began his broadcasting career with BBC Scotland and moved to STV in 1994, where he remained until this year.
During his stint as guest presenter, the broadcaster will lead discussions on the stories shaping Scotland, joined by the podcast's regular team of journalists, commentators and guests, BBC Scotland said.
Howard Simpson, Head of News and Current Affairs, Scotland, added: “John is one of Scotland’s most esteemed broadcasters. He brings decades of experience and has a warmth and gravitas that is hugely appreciated by the audience. It will be great to have John at the BBC and in the Scotcast chair this summer.”
Scotcast is designed to provide listeners with analysis, debate and behind-the-headlines insight into the issues that matter most to people across Scotland.