'Tis the season to be jolly.

That's the opening gag as former First Minister Alex Salmond introduces a revival of his take on the Rikki Fulton classic character Reverend IM Jolly for his Christmas special on the Kremlin-backed RT network.

Mr Salmond’s decision to host a programme on the Russian network was criticised by opposition politicians as well as by his successor, Nicola Sturgeon, who said she would have “advised against RT and suggested he seek a different channel”.

The Herald:

And he took the rise out of the situation in one gag in his jolly persona.

"The Very Rev Putin has signed me up for his new TV show," he said. "Songs of Praise, I inquired? No, just the praise, came the reply."

The dour clergyman's Last Call sketch was one of the highlights of the long-running Scotch and Wry Hogmanay specials during the 1980s and 1990s.

Alex Salmond prevously took on the dour minister's role when he was First Minister nine years ago, for a BBC Scotland Children in Need special.

This time round he bemoaned "a hell of a year".

"Trump, Brexit, the election, Scotland's World Cup campaign. In times like these, I say count your blessings. It makes no bloody difference," he deadpanned.

The former SNP leader added: "Despite the odd setback , I try to maintain a cheerful disposition. It was at university I realised I could go down in history and then I went down in Georgraphy, French and Maths as well."

He also poked fun at the UK's position under Brexit.

"I did win the 'life and work' competition to the World Cup in Russia next year," he said. "A weekend in Vladivostok and £200 spending money. Or six roubles. "Six roubles to the pound I inquired?" "Naw, after Brexit six is your lot".

The skit appeared three days after broadcasting watchdog Ofcom said it was investigating whether the political show broke accuracy rules, and is also assessing a series of tweets that were presented as written by members of the audience.