Former Newsnight anchor Donald MacCormick has died after suffering a heart attack. The 70-year-old Scottish broadcaster was at the helm of the current affairs show throughout the 1980s along with John Tusa and Peter Snow.

Former Newsnight anchor Donald MacCormick has died after suffering a heart attack.

The 70-year-old Scottish broadcaster was at the helm of the current affairs show throughout the 1980s along with John Tusa and Peter Snow.

Mr Tusa paid tribute to the journalist, calling him "professional, generous and selfless". He said: "He was part of a trio, providing an absolutely solid professional call and was just a perfect foil to both Peter and me.

"He couldn't have been easier to deal with, there were never any arguments. He just did his job in an extremely professional way and was warm, generous and thorough."

Helen Boaden, director of BBC News said MacCormick was a "consummate professional and a great colleague, adding: "Many at the BBC will be saddened by this news."

MacCormick worked on several other BBC flagship programmes throughout his career including Question Time, the Money Programme, Tonight, Newsweek and BBC World, where he presented the main evening programme for five years.

After graduating in English from Glasgow University he began his working life as a teacher at the High School of Glasgow in 1962.

MacCormick worked as a news reporter on Grampian Television and later covered politics for the BBC.

In 1975 he moved to London and was a regular commenter at the party political conferences.

But he made his name when he worked on Newsnight throughout the 1980s.

Tim Gardam, former BBC Newsnight Editor said: "Donald was always focused on ensuring the programme aired with calm authority. His political interviews were as insistent as they were courteous. He had a sharp eye for the pressure points in politics and the tussles for power in the Palace of Westminster.

"Whenever he was anchoring Newsnight one knew that whatever the pressure of events behind the screen, none would be evident on screen. Once the programme was over he was tremendous company, with a dry and engaging wit."

This March the BBC screened an edition of Tonight, which MacCormick presented with Robin Day, to mark the 30th anniversary of James Callaghan's Labour government calling an early General Election that swept Margaret Thatcher to power.

In 1992 the journalist was tempted back to Scotland to front weekly STV political show Scottish Questions. STV's controller at the time, David Scott, said the company was attracted by his "authority, energy, interviewing skills, and ability to impart information on the most complex issues''.

Later he provided on-air commentary on the death of Labour leader John Smith, from a heart attack in 1994.

Recently MacCormick had been working in the corporate sector.