She is the comedian from a high-achieving family who studied law at the University of Glasgow, winning a scholarship and a three-month stint in North Carolina working with criminals on death row.
Susan Calman gave up a career in corporate law, becoming dissatisfied with working as a specialist in freedom of information and data protection and developed her stand-up comedy during evenings.
Now Ms Calman is to to become the new face of BBC Scotland's revamped Hogmanay coverage, taking over from Jackie Bird.
The comedian, presenter and writer will host a pre-recorded party from the Pacific Quay studio in Glasgow as well as the live show from 11.30pm.
She will forces with fellow comic Des Clarke and sports presenter Amy Irons to front the Hogmanay coverage, with the BBC pre-recording segments from its headquarters at Pacific Quay in Glasgow.
READ MORE: Jackie Bird won't be bringing in the BBC bells this Hogmanay
It came after Jackie Bird confirmed in September that she would not be hosting the Hogmanay coverage for the first time in 20 years.
There had been speculation that the 57-year-old may return to the countdown to the Bells, which she has presented each year since 1999.
But she confirmed that while she had been offered a ten-minute slot beamed live to the nation from the capital, she had decided to decline the opportunity.
Miss Bird, who retired from fronting Reporting Scotland in the spring, had presented Hogmanay Live every year since 1999.
It was announced in June that BBC in-house programme makers Multiplatform Productions had won the £1million contract to make the show for the next two years.
Susan Calman's (Not Quite) End of Year Show will include a performance from Scottish rock outfit Travis and the BBC said it would "capture the unique atmosphere of Scotland’s world-renowned celebrations live on the night."
An announcement about the shake-up said the Hogmanay show would also feature "key live moments from around Scotland."
Ms Calman, a former Strictly contestant who is a panellist on BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz said: "Hogmanay is such an important occasion across the country and I’m delighted to be on hand to help usher in the New Year.
"It’s going to be a fun night packed with great comedy, entertainment and music."
The daughter of Sir Kenneth Calman, the chancellor of the University of Glasgow and former chief medical officer for Scotland, added:"I always like to get a party started and hope everyone will join me to welcome in 2020 in spectacular fashion."
It has been confirmed that Hogmanay stalwarts Phil Cunningham and Aly Bain will not be part of this year's BBC Scotland coverage.
Folk musician Mr Cunningham, has been a fixture on Scottish screens at the bells every year since 1999, when he co-hosted with Jackie Bird.
Since 2004, the accordionist has been joined each year by fiddler Aly to perform traditional music on the New Year's Eve show.
BBC Scotland confirmed that the popular duo will "not be involved in the lineup" for this year's revamped Hogmanay output, however.
BBC Scotland's head of commissioning Steve Carson added: "We've changed things a little this year so that we can bring all the key live moments from around Scotland, as we always do, as well as bringing great music for the hundreds of thousands who join us in their living rooms - and we also have a brand new presenting team of household names.
"It's great to have Susan, Des and Amy fronting our shows."
Ms Bird, admitted after announcing she was stepping down from the Hogmanay show that she was now lost about what to do to celebrate New Year.
“Hogmanay is a hugely prestigious night for BBC Scotland and they’ve decided to rework it, which is completely their prerogative," she said.
“I wish them well and hope it’s a huge success.
"What am I going to do on Hogmanay? It’s going to be a hard habit to break.
READ MORE: Jackie Bird leaves BBC Reporting Scotland after 30 years
“On the night, you’ll probably find me in the middle of the living room with a pretend microphone counting down to midnight and being told by the family to sit down and shut up so they can watch the telly.
“But, seriously, having a free night after all these years means I’ll certainly be up for a party.”
Last year the Bird-fronted BBC Scotland Hogmanay offering had more than a million viewers at midnight - trouncing STV's offering fronted by singer Lulu.
The Hogmanay Hooley had about 36,000 viewers at the Bells, against 1.2million for the BBC's Hogmanay Live.
Until 2013 Ms Bird brought in each new year live from Edinburgh but since then it has broadcast from Glasgow.
She was headline news with her only fashion faux pas when she wore a rather low-slung dress for the Hogmamany show in 2000.
Such was the infamy of the dress that the media ended up obsessed with what she was wearing each Hogmanay ever since.
In 2015, it was a cheeky reveller who became the nation's focus, making faces as she spoke to camera.
Born in Bellshill, in 1962, Bird started her career in Dundee working on DC Thomson's teenage magazines. She subsequently worked for Radio Clyde, the Evening Times and The Sun before moving into broadcasting as a reporter and presenter on Coast to Coast, ITV's regional news programme for the south east.
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