Rageh Omaar is joining ITV News as special correspondent later this week.

The 45-year-old journalist will leave Qatar-based news channel al-Jazeera where he has worked since 2006. 

Omaar became a household name for his BBC reports during the Iraq invasion in 2003.  Much of his coverage was syndicated across the world, and his charming on-screen persona and good looks earned him the nickname the “Scud stud” from the Washington Post.

The Somali-born reporter won a Bafta for the BBC’s coverage of the Iraqi conflict, and has in the past worked for Sky News and Channel 4’s Dispatches.  He’s also author of two books. 

Omaar said: "Joining ITV News represents a return to news reporting for me, which is where my passion for journalism began."

He Added: “I’m incredibly excited to be joining such a fantastic and thriving news organisation with a wonderful history".

ITV said Omaar will work on "a broad range of news stories and producing special in-depth reports from all around the UK and when required, on stories abroad".