Latest news with #DougieDonnelly
Scottish Sun
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Iconic BBC football presenter makes shock return after 15 years as fans beg ‘can we keep him in place?'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 A special guest host was back on BBC Sportscene Credit: BBC SPORTSCENE 5 Dougie Donnelly returned to present the show Credit: BBC SPORTSCENE 5 He was joined by several familiar faces Credit: BBC SPORTSCENE 5 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." 5 Dougie Donnelly led a popular Sportscene presenting team Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Have YOU got a point for Kris Boyd? Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah chew over the big talking points each week SOMETHING you've just got to get off your chest from the weekend action? A burning Scottish football talking point you can't wait to bring up with Kris Boyd and Roger Hannah? SunSport's GoBallistic show wants to hear from you! So why not help set the Scottish football agenda for the week ahead! Have your say on the game's big topics by emailing us on: GoBallistic@ It's YOUR turn to Go Ballistic! Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Glasgow Times
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Sportscene turns 50 with special show on BBC Scotland
The programme will air on Saturday, August 9, at 8.15pm and will reunite some of Scottish football's most recognisable voices. Dougie Donnelly will return to the Sportscene studio as presenter, joined by current host Steven Thompson, with analysis from Gordon Smith. Dougie said: "It was a great time for Scottish football and the Saturday night sports programme was absolutely required viewing. Read more: Marseille reportedly eyeing loan move for O'Riley "I did 33 consecutive Scottish Cup finals – what a privilege to have been in the hot seat for so many of the big occasions, including all the World Cups and everything else. "I was hugely lucky and very much appreciate that. "I'm looking forward to going back on the show. "Fortunately, I'm still working in broadcasting, so it's not going to be as intimidating as it might have been. "It's live TV, what I've done my whole career, and it'll be fantastic to go back again and talk about Scottish football. "I look forward to seeing the reaction from the Scottish footballing public." The anniversary edition will feature archive footage dating back to the black and white television era and will include reflections and highlights from broadcasters who have helped shape the programme over the decades. Rob Maclean, who has worked on Sportscene for more than 25 years, will commentate on the Rangers v Dundee fixture. Archie Macpherson, who appeared on the inaugural episode in 1975, will provide commentary for St Mirren v Motherwell, while Jock Brown, a regular voice in the 1990s, will cover Livingston v Falkirk. Archie said: "I started in 1962 with Sportsreel – on Black Saturday, the weekend of the Cuban missile crisis. "My first report was Hamilton against Stenhousemuir at a time when the world was worried about nuclear warfare. "Programmes rely on the events they cover – and I was lucky enough to cover a succession of World Cups for Sportscene. "They gave the programme a great status in the public eye. "I'm very grateful for this opportunity to go back on the show. "It's quite a gesture after all this time away from commentating on Sportscene." Jock said: "I've done a lot of broadcasting since leaving Sportscene and I'm really looking forward to going back on the show. "It'll be good fun. "It's an iconic programme that has a big place in the story of sports broadcasting in Scotland."
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
BBC Scotland marks 50 years of Sportscene with special broadcast
BBC Scotland is marking 50 years of Sportscene with a special anniversary broadcast. The programme will air on Saturday, August 9, at 8.15pm and will reunite some of Scottish football's most recognisable voices. Dougie Donnelly will return to the Sportscene studio as presenter, joined by current host Steven Thompson, with analysis from Gordon Smith. Dougie said: "It was a great time for Scottish football and the Saturday night sports programme was absolutely required viewing. Read more: Marseille reportedly eyeing loan move for O'Riley "I did 33 consecutive Scottish Cup finals – what a privilege to have been in the hot seat for so many of the big occasions, including all the World Cups and everything else. "I was hugely lucky and very much appreciate that. "I'm looking forward to going back on the show. "Fortunately, I'm still working in broadcasting, so it's not going to be as intimidating as it might have been. "It's live TV, what I've done my whole career, and it'll be fantastic to go back again and talk about Scottish football. "I look forward to seeing the reaction from the Scottish footballing public." The anniversary edition will feature archive footage dating back to the black and white television era and will include reflections and highlights from broadcasters who have helped shape the programme over the decades. Rob Maclean, who has worked on Sportscene for more than 25 years, will commentate on the Rangers v Dundee fixture. Archie Macpherson, who appeared on the inaugural episode in 1975, will provide commentary for St Mirren v Motherwell, while Jock Brown, a regular voice in the 1990s, will cover Livingston v Falkirk. Archie said: "I started in 1962 with Sportsreel – on Black Saturday, the weekend of the Cuban missile crisis. "My first report was Hamilton against Stenhousemuir at a time when the world was worried about nuclear warfare. "Programmes rely on the events they cover – and I was lucky enough to cover a succession of World Cups for Sportscene. "They gave the programme a great status in the public eye. "I'm very grateful for this opportunity to go back on the show. "It's quite a gesture after all this time away from commentating on Sportscene." Jock said: "I've done a lot of broadcasting since leaving Sportscene and I'm really looking forward to going back on the show. "It'll be good fun. "It's an iconic programme that has a big place in the story of sports broadcasting in Scotland."
Glasgow Times
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
BBC announces huge Sportscene shake-up - but there's a catch
This is to celebrate the programme's 50th anniversary. The special edition will air this Saturday, with famous presenters and commentators returning. Dougie Donnelly is set to present Sportscene on August 9, alongside current presenter Steven Thompson. Veteran commentator and presenter Archie Macpherson will provide commentary at the St Mirren vs Motherwell match. Macpherson appeared on the inaugural Sportscene in 1975. Jock Brown, a commentator from the 1990s, will cover the Livingston vs Falkirk match. Rob Maclean, who has spent more than 25 years with Sportscene, will commentate on the Rangers vs Dundee game. The late kick-off is scheduled for Saturday evening. Alongside Donnelly and Thompson, pundit Gordon Smith will provide analysis and insights. The programme will also feature archive footage and broadcasters' recollections of Sportscene highlights. Tom Connor, executive editor of sport at BBC Scotland, said: "We're delighted that these Sportscene legends have agreed to come back and celebrate this milestone with the programme team and our audience. "Sportscene has been a cornerstone of broadcasting in Scotland since it kicked off fifty years ago, keeping its place as a fans' favourite during a period of remarkable change in the game. "I'm sure our audience will enjoy the return of Dougie, Archie, Jock and Rob to the Saturday Sportscene team for this anniversary special." Sportscene first aired in 1975 and has been a much-loved fixture in Scottish sports broadcasting since.
The Herald Scotland
06-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
BBC announce special shake-up to flagship Sportscene show
Dougie Donnelly will present Sportscene on August 9, while Archie Macpherson, Rob Maclean and Jock Brown will be on commentary duties around the grounds. Veteran commentator and presenter Macpherson - who appeared on the inaugural Sportscene in 1975 - will be providing commentary at the vs Motherwell match. Brown, who was a commentator on the show in the 1990s, will be behind the microphone for the Livingston vs Falkirk match. Maclean, who has had two spells with the programme as commentator and presenter covering a total of more than 25 years, will be commentating on the Rangers vs Dundee game, which is the late kick-off on Saturday evening. Donnelly will be joined in the studio by current Sportscene presenter Steven Thompson. They will provide analysis of the action alongside well-known pundit and familiar face to Sportscene audiences through the decades, Gordon Smith. The programme will also feature archive footage stretching back to the black and white television era and recollections of Sportscene highlights from the seasoned broadcasters. Tom Connor, Executive Editor, Sport, BBC Scotland, said: "We're delighted that these Sportscene legends have agreed to come back and celebrate this milestone with the programme team and our audience. "Sportscene has been a cornerstone of broadcasting in Scotland since it kicked off fifty years ago, keeping its place as a fans' favourite during a period of remarkable change in the game. "I'm sure our audience will enjoy the return of Dougie, Archie, Jock and Rob to the Saturday Sportscene team for this anniversary special."
