Wissenswertes

Suffered a stroke that confined him to a hospital bed for 4 months and left him out of work for the best part of a year. (Januar 2013)

In 2000 he took over from John Sergeant as the BBC's Political Editor.

Educated at Dundee High School, Craigflower School in Fife, and Loretto School, Musselburgh.

Gained a degree in English from Trinity Hall, Cambridge.

Is an avid painter who has written some books on art.