Stand-ins announced for weather presenting trio preparing for maternity leave

WITH not one, nor two, but three of its weather presenters all about to go on maternity leave, BBC Scotland has unveiled a trio of replacements.

The new team – Christopher Blanchett, Cat Cubie and Stavros Danaos – are to stand in from next month as Gail McGrane, Judith Ralston and Gillian Smart take temporary leave to have their babies.

Christopher is an assistant producer who currently produces national forecasts on BBC1 and the News Channel as well as training presenters at the BBC Weather Centre in London. Cat,meanwhile, is described by the BBC as “an experienced presenter on a wide range of factual programmes”. And Stavros is a broadcaster with the Met Office.

In a statement issued by BBC Scotland, head of news and current affairs, Atholl Duncan, is quoted saying: “We are sure the new weather team will do a great job babysitting the bulletins while Gail, Judith and Gillian are away. The new team got the jobs amid extremely fierce competition. Now they can’t wait to get on air broadcasting to our audiences on radio, TV and online across Scotland.”