Iconic BBC football presenter makes shock return after 15 years as fans beg ‘can we keep him in place?'

Scottish Sun

3 days ago

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SPORTSCENE celebrated its 50th birthday in style on Saturday night.
And some iconic faces from the BBC footie show's past were back where they belong.
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A special guest host was back on BBC Sportscene
Credit: BBC SPORTSCENE
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Dougie Donnelly returned to present the show
Credit: BBC SPORTSCENE
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He was joined by several familiar faces
Credit: BBC SPORTSCENE
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Fans enjoyed Donnelly's return for the special episode
Credit: BBC SPORTSCENE
Sportscene first aired all the way back on August 9, 1975.
EXACTLY 50 years to that day, the programme aired a special episode to mark its big milestone.
As always, Sportscene was on to show the highlights from the day's Scottish Premiership matches.
Rangers' draw with Dundee, St Mirren's clash with Motherwell and Livingston's win over Falkirk were the three featured games on the big occasion.
But this was no ordinary Sportscene!
As we told you during the week, some legendary figures from the show's past were back for one night only.
Iconic commentators Archie Macpherson, Jock Brown and Rob Maclean were all back to call the matches, with pundit Gordon Smith also making a return.
And in the presenting chair was Dougie Donnelly.
Considered the face of the programme by many, 72-year old Donnelly spent more than 30 years with the BBC having joined the organisation in 1978.
He quickly became the host of Sportscene and anchored coverage - both live and highlights - until 2010.
Rangers boss Russell Martin admits there will be 'a bit of pain' as he reacts to Dundee draw at Ibrox
Donnelly left the BBC after Sportscene's live coverage of the Scottish Cup Final in 2010 - his THIRTIETH Scottish Cup Final in a row.
15 years on, he was back to present the show one more time.
In an amusing opening to the programme, Donnelly posed as a cleaner sweeping the floor, approaching the host of the current era Steven Thompson and saying: "Do you mind if I have a go?"
He could then be seen whipping off his jacket and welcoming viewers to Sportscene at 50.
Donnelly then anchored the hour-long programme and fans were thrilled to see his return.
They were also loving his sign-off on the show as he hailed it as "the best job in the world" and paid tribute to friends no longer with us.
Several punters took to social media to hail Donnelly's return.
One asked: "Can we keep Dougie Donnelly in place?"
A second said: "Dougie Donnelly absolutely seamless. Could slip back into the lineup with ease."
A third added: "Any chance we can get Dougie Donnelly back as permanent Sportscene host?"
A fourth posted: "Dougie Donnelly is a legend."
Another comment read: "Dougie Donnelly was and still is top class!"
While a sixth said: "Tremendous seeing Dougie Donnelly presenting and Jock Brown commentating on Sportscene tonight."
Another fan praised: "Dougie Donnelly is such a class act."
While another comment read: "Reminds us all what a class act Dougie Donnlly is. He really should still be on our screens regularly."
And another posted: "Dougie showed himself to be the consummate professional. He hasn't lost it."
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Dougie Donnelly led a popular Sportscene presenting team
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
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