THE BBC has announced Stephen Jardine as the host of its new Question Time-style show on BBC Scotland.
Debate Night will be the flagship current affairs debate show on the BBC Scotland channel, with the first episode to be broadcast on Wednesday, February 27, at 10.45pm.
The show is produced for BBC Scotland by Mentorn Scotland – who are also responsible for the BBC's Question Time.
READ MORE: Question Time: BBC Scotland sends ‘desperate briefing’ to politicians
Jardine is currently a presenter on BBC Radio Scotland, and his previous work includes presenting duties on STV's Scotland Today, Sunday Live and Seven Days.
Jardine said: “I’m delighted to be hosting Debate Night. At this time in particular, Scotland should have a programme bringing politicians and the people together and that is what I want this to be.
"It is a privilege and a responsibility to be tasked with such a big show and I look forward to making Debate Night a great forum for Scotland to share views and opinions in an open and civilised way”.
A total of 24 episodes of Debate Night have already been confirmed, with the hour-long programme featuring a studio audience and a panel made up of "politicians, leaders of public bodies and opinion formers".
The first run of episodes will be broadcast from Edinburgh, though the show will go on the road across Scotland.
Daniel Maxwell, BBC Scotland executive producer, said: "Stephen has a first class track record in broadcast journalism and we’re delighted he will be in the chair for Debate Night. He is an excellent communicator and facilitator with a sure grasp of all the key political, cultural and social issues that resonate in Scotland."
Nicolai Gentchev, director of current affairs at Mentorn Media, said: "At a time when opinion is everywhere, especially on social media, the best way to test ideas is through debate. This is such an exciting time to launch a national debate series. We look forward to working with Stephen to make Debate Night the programme that gets Scotland talking.”
The new BBC Scotland channel launches on February 24.
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