Neil Oliver: TV presenter to join GB news

Scottish TV presenter Neil Oliver has announced he will be joining GB News.

The author and journalist is famed for his documentaries on British history and his work has appeared in The Scotsman, the Edinburgh Evening News and The Herald.

He has worked in broadcasting for nearly 20 years, and GB News has confirmed that his role with them will involve hosting a current affairs programme which will “focus on the people from all walks of life who make Britain great.”

Neil Oliver PIC: Bill Osment

Mr Oliver said: “My career has always been driven by my fascination about people, whether it’s trying to understand ancient people through archaeology or living ones through journalism.

"Debate in this country has been stifled for so long that GB News feels like opening a window and letting in some fresh air, fresh perspectives and fresh voices.

"I never imagined my career would take this turn but I’m hugely excited that it has.”

Broadcaster Andrew Neil will head GB News, and has said he wants the channel to do “what the US channels do”, which is “programming built around strong presenters which becomes an appointment to view”.

He has refuted claims that the channel will be a British version of American right wing network Fox saying the programmes will conform to Ofcom rules on impartiality and that it “will not be shouty, angry television”.

The Stop Funding Hate has already attempted to boycott potential advertisers and some journalists who were approached to work there told the Telegraph that it was pitched to them as a right-wing alternative to the BBC.

The date for the launch of the channel has not yet been confirmed.

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