After more than three decades of delivering Scotland's nightly news, STV anchorman John MacKay has bid a final good night to the nation. The broadcaster, widely recognised for his signature introduction 'I'm John MacKay', hosted the network's flagship STV News at Six for one last edition on Friday, marking the end of a 32-year career in television news.
A Fond Farewell and Future Plans
Calling time on his broadcasting journey, MacKay stated the 'time was right' to move on. He humorously noted that his first port of call would be to enjoy a beer before embarking on other projects. Weather presenter Sean Batty commemorated the occasion by wearing a special tie featuring MacKay's face printed on it, adding a personal touch to the farewell.
Reflections on a Privileged Career
As he concluded his tenure, which has made him one of Scotland's most familiar faces, MacKay expressed feeling 'lucky and privileged'. The programme closed with a montage of his notable reports, including a memorable slip where he said 'webs***e' instead of 'website'. In his final sign-off, he thanked viewers, saying: 'And that's it from me and me on the STV News. It has been my privilege to bring you Scotland's changing story over these many years.'
He added: 'Thank you for having me in your homes for so long. My colleagues at STV News will continue to bring you the best news service, please do support public service news. We do need it. Thank you for watching and, for the last time, I'm John MacKay. Good night.'
From Print to Broadcasting Stardom
MacKay began his journalism career at the Sunday Post before transitioning to broadcasting in 1987 with BBC Scotland. He was soon recruited by STV for Scotland Today and, within four years, became the main anchor. He played a key role in the programme's rebranding to STV News at Six in 2006, solidifying his position as a cornerstone of Scottish television news.
Covering Landmark Events and Interviews
Throughout his career, MacKay has interviewed a diverse array of figures, from celebrities like Will Ferrell and Dolly Parton to top politicians including Prime Ministers and First Ministers. He has covered pivotal moments in Scotland's history, such as the Lockerbie disaster and the 2014 independence referendum. He has described the Dunblane massacre in March 1996 as the most harrowing experience, noting that what he witnessed that day 'will remain with me for ever.'
Ofcom's Decision on STV News Changes
In related news, regulator Ofcom has informed STV that it will delay publishing its decision on the broadcaster's controversial plan to scrap its flagship news programme in northern Scotland until after May's Holyrood election. The proposed change would replace the dedicated show with a single programme broadcast from Glasgow, resulting in the loss of approximately 60 jobs.
MacKay recently shared with the Mail: 'I have heard it said newsreaders are there to say "good evening" and then explain why it is not. It's more than that: It is a privilege to deliver the big stories for our nation and communities into people's homes. I have never lost sight of that. I love the job, the buzz of live broadcasting and the camaraderie of my colleagues, but it's time to move on.'
