McLeish talks sport

Henry McLeish will swap politics for sports talk

Scotland's First Minister Henry McLeish has agreed to subject himself to BBC Radio Scotland's quick-fire soccer comedy shows On the Ball and Off the Ball.

The programmes, hosted by Tam Cowan and Stuart Cosgrove, are broadcast before and after the footballing action on Saturdays - and Mr McLeish admits to being a regular listener.

On Friday his official spokesman said: "He will appear on On the Ball and Off the Ball.

"He is very keen to do it as he is a regular listener as well as being a former professional footballer."

A spokesman for BBC Scotland said a date had still to be fixed for the appearance and production staff expected the Labour politician to make his debut early next year.

"He has said he is keen to do it but no date has been set yet," said the spokesman.

Before entering politics, Mr McLeish was a full-time footballer with East Fife.