The popular BBC Scotland presenter Jackie Bird will return to television screens for coverage of Hogmanay.

Ms Bird is recovering from being hospitalised with a twisted bowel, but will front BBC Scotland's Hogmanay Live from Edinburgh's Princes Street, the broadcaster said yesterday.

The anchorwoman was rushed to Hairmyres Hospital in East Kilbride last month after suffering agonising stomach pains and had parts of her intestines removed.

She is currently recovering from two surgeries at home after having life-saving surgery early last month.

Ms Bird, 50, said: "It'll be great to be out with the party-goers enjoying one of the biggest parties in the world

"Not only that, but we're hoping to get around Scotland bringing the spirit of the night into everyone's living room."

Her return to the screen was confirmed as BBC Scotland unveiled its festive programming, which includes a two-part comedy panel show to celebrate the 60th anniversary of television in Scotland, featuring Ronni Ancona, Alex Norton, Sanjeev Kholi, Neil Oliver, Susan Calman and Mark Nelson, called Scots on the Box.

In Just Dandy, Ford Kiernan will celebrate humour of the popular Scottish comic and there will be a special edition of Only An Excuse?

Donalda MacKinnon, BBC Scotland's head of programmes and services, said: "Audiences come to BBC Scotland in big numbers on Hogmanay and our line-up this year will provide plenty of laughs, nostalgia and uplifting music to provide extra fizz to the party atmosphere across the country."

Hogmanay Live will also broadcast from Stirling Castle, where the Proclaimers will perform, to Inverness, for a "Highland-style Hogmanay" and to BBC Scotland's Glasgow studio where Frightened Rabbit, Rachel Sermanni, Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain will take to the stage.

The year will be seen out with a Lone Piper on the battlements of Edinburgh Castle.

Also over New Year and Christmas there will be two episodes of a new series of Watching Ourselves which looks at the history of TV in Scotland. Iain Glen, Brian Cox, Michael Gambon and Billy Connolly are among the contributors.

On BBC Radio Scotland there is a Stark Talk Christmas Day special when Edi Stark interviews golden Olympian, Katherine Grainger.