91Èȱ¬

John Beattie presents a new daily topical lunchtime news show with lively discussion and debate every weekday (Monday to Thursday) from Monday 1 November.

John said today: "I'm looking forward to getting behind the main stories of the day, putting the spotlight on the issues that affect us all – from how safe is our food to how fair are the bankers bonuses – together with all the latest news, travel and sports from my colleagues on what is happening in Scotland and the world."

Listeners can bring their own views to the show by taking part in its very own soapbox by texting 80295 or emailing johnbeattie@bbc.co.uk

Jeff Zycinski, Head of 91Èȱ¬ Radio Scotland, added: "Earlier this year we spent a lot of time talking to our audiences across Scotland. John Beattie is a presenter that listeners love hearing from and he has interests well beyond sport.

"He's a big personality in every way and he joins a very strong line-up in our daytime schedule, including Gary Robertson, Kaye Adams and Fred MacAulay.

"Longer term, we're changing the mix of programmes so that there is more speech in daytime – including news, topical conversation, documentaries, drama and comedy – and an unbeatable variety of quality music programmes in the evening, including a continued commitment to live sessions in our specialist shows like Another Country and Travelling Folk. All that plus our award-winning Sportsound team on medium wave and DAB."

Revised Schedule for 91Èȱ¬ Radio Scotland
6-8.55am: Good Morning Scotland
8.55-10.30am: Call Kaye
10.30-12noon: MacAulay And Co
12-1.15pm: John Beattie (Monday to Thursday)
1.15-2pm: Book, Culture, Music And Movie Cafés (Monday to Thursday)
2-3.30pm: Tom Morton (Monday to Thursday)
3.30-4pm: Features/drama slot (Monday to Thursday)
4-6pm: Newsdrive

On Fridays it will be as above until:
12noon-12.10pm: News
12.10-1pm: Brian Taylor's Big Debate
1-1.15pm: News
1.15-1.45pm: The Comedy Café
1.45-2pm: New Comedy series
2-4pm: Tom Morton
4-6pm: Newsdrive

SV