One of the most experienced figures at BBC Scotland, and a key figure behind the overwhelming success of Still Game, as well as the head of its new Scottish channel, has decided to leave the corporation.

Ewan Angus, who has more than 30 years experience in broadcasting at the corporation in a career spanning comedy, drama, and sport, is to leave his post in the early months of next year.

Angus' departure comes only months after he was appointed as the broadcaster's new multi-platform commissioning editor, including planning for the new BBC Scotland digital channel.

READ MORE: Ewan Angus departure: task of building a new BBC Scotland channel from scratch becomes a little bit harder

He has commissioned shows such as A History of Scotland, The Scheme, River City, and Limmy’s Show, among many others.

However his departure, described as surprising by insiders, now leaves the leadership of BBC Scotland's new channel - due to start broadcasting in Autumn next year - as a question mark.

Angus said: "I've had a fantastic career working with so many talented people here in Scotland and across the UK but for personal reasons I've come to the conclusion that now is time to leave.

"Having been involved in the early planning for our new Scotland channel and related investment, I remain very confident that it will transform the BBC’s output for audiences here and I have indicated I will be very happy to help further those plans in any way I can before I leave."

READ MORE: Ewan Angus departure: task of building a new BBC Scotland channel from scratch becomes a little bit harder

The new channel will have an hour long news bulletin, with national and international news, between 9pm and 10pm.

Angus played a key role in commissioning and developing Still Game from its earliest days, and was also a loud voice within the BBC in getting it broadcast on the entire national network.

Donalda MacKinnon, director of BBC Scotland, said she was sorry that he was leaving his job at the corporation.

She said: "Ewan has been a brilliant TV commissioner for us here in Scotland and we'll celebrate his many achievements in due course.

"I know he did not reconsider his position lightly but I know he believes it’s the right one for him and his family so I have accepted his decision to leave and wish him well for a future outwith the BBC."

She added: "I'm particularly sorry that Ewan will be leaving at this time as we plan the development of new services for our audiences but these plans are already well underway and will continue under a new Head of Multi-Platform Commissioning along with the rest of the team.

"Ewan has told me that, having been involved in the early planning for our new Scotland channel and related investment, he remains very confident that it will transform the BBC’s output for audiences here.

"He has also indicated that he will be very happy to help further those plans in any way he can before he leaves."

READ MORE: Ewan Angus departure: task of building a new BBC Scotland channel from scratch becomes a little bit harder

Ms MacKinnon said she would be advertising to appoint his successor.

The new channel was announced in February this year.

The channel will broadcast from 7pm to midnight every night, and will be available online and on iPlayer.

The BBC said that with its own budget and other funding, the channel will have an initial budget of over £30m.

It will feature new programmes "acquired programmes and programmes from partners in the creative sector and from other countries and a selection of content sourced from other BBC services."

Lord Tony Hall, director general of the BBC, told MSPs earlier this year that the new channel would be able to draw on the "global resources" of the corporation.

Angus' credits as a commissioner and executive producer also include The Story of Scottish Art, Fair Isle, Scotland: The Promised Land, The Mart, Highlands: Scotland’s Wild Heart, Transsexual Stories, The Foodbank, Dunblane: Our Story, Teenage Millionaire, Stonemouth and Field of Blood.

He has also acted as Executive Producer on a number of theatrically released documentaries and films such as Piper Alpha: Fire In The Night, From Scotland With Love and Sunset Song.

For a number of years he has combined his commissioning role with that of Head of Sport.