Originally from Wexford in Ireland, Sheridan had worked in broadcasting for more than a decade.

He had previously spent two years reporting and presenting RTE News2day, the young person's news programme for Ireland's national broadcaster, before moving to the main newsroom where he worked on the foreign affairs desk.

He joined BBC Scotland as a researcher, before becoming in turn a camera journalist, correspondent and presenter.

He left his staff post to focus on writing children's books, but continued as a regular freelance presenter on BBC Scotland's radio and TV news programmes.