Jim Hancock returns to Granada TV

Former BBC North West Tonight political editor, Jim Hancock is heading back to Granada to present a segment on Party People.

He’ll be doing the "What the political papers say" strand on the show which goes out on Thursday nights.

Viewers will see the reunion of Hancock and his former Granada producer Rob McLoughlin, who presents the show.

Expect a bit of banter as we’ve heard they didn’t tend to see eye-to-eye all the time.

"It's good to be back working with the Granada team," Hancock told us.

"The programme takes regional politics seriously. It was ahead of everyone by having Oldham MP Phil Woolas on the first programme anticipating the row that was about to break over the head of the new Immigration Minister." 

"It’s good to get Jim out of the house and back into the studio," added Rob McLoughlin.

"He’s finally forgiven me for all those years of cut throat competition between Granada and the BBC, which of course we won.”

Hancock will be appearing for the next 7 shows. What happens after that is still up to debate, with rumours that the show could be recorded in London.

"It will be a shame if the excellent political journalism of the team does not survive the cuts in ITV regional programmes in some form," added Hancock.

His arrival at Quay Street may come as a surprise to the BBC’s web team, because they’re clearly finding it hard to say good-bye.

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