The former moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Sandy McDonald has died, aged 78.

Mr McDonald, the father of former Doctor Who star David Tennant, died at Erskine Care Home in Bishopton after a long battle with lung disease.

The Glasgow-born reverend revealed he was suffering from the degenerative condition in 2015 and spoke out for the right to die despite the Church of Scotland’s official position against the proposal.

In the early 1980s, he co-presented the STV religious magazine programme That's the Spirit! and was also interviewed on VIP, a religious show on the channel.

He was described as a "natural media personality" and also had a cameo role on Doctor Who.

Long-time friend reverend John Chalmers said: "Working with Sandy was one of the great pleasures of my career in ministry.

"It was no surprise to me when Sandy called for a serious dialogue on the right to die. He was a man who tempered his views in the light of reality, who sat lightly to dogma and who preferred faith in action.

"The Church of Scotland needs a new breed of Sandy McDonalds who catch a passion for the good news of Jesus Christ but whose understanding of the faith is not frozen in time."

The Church of Scotland said his "friendly, approachable and outspoken manner set a new tone for 21st century moderators".

Current moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Dr Angus Morrison said: "He was a wonderful man and minister. Genuine love for people was a defining mark of his ministry.

"He had a special concern for the well-being of his fellow ministers. Sandy’s memory will be cherished by many."

Mr McDonald was born in Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, and worked in the timber industry before joining the RAF, operating ground radar for the famous 617 Dambusters squadron.

He entered the ministry in 1962 and studied theology at Glasgow University and Trinity College in Dublin. He was later granted a doctorate by the Open University for his work as moderator of the General Assembly in 1997 and 1998.

Lifelong friend and minister Dr Lona Hood said: "Sandy didn't just preach, he put his whole self into it - his arms, his voice, his whole body went into his sermons. People loved it when he preached.

"He was a great pastor and he held parish ministry at the heart of the church."