It follows the sudden departure this month of Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror editors Richard Wallace and Tina Weaver.

Scott, who has been deputy editor of the Sunday Mirror since 2004, replaces Lloyd Embley who has been appointed editor of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror as part of a major shake-up of the national newspaper publisher.

After starting his career at South West News Service in Bristol, Scott worked at The Sun and has held the roles of news editor and then deputy editor at the Sunday Mirror.  He will take up his appointment at the national Sunday title with immediate effect.

Scott said: "I am thrilled to have been given this new challenge. The People is a great Sunday newspaper with a long and proud history and I very much look forward to working with the team during this exciting time for the group."

Announcing the appointment Trinity Mirror, nationals managing director Mark Hollinshead said: "The People continues to deliver a resilient circulation performance against cut-price competitors and I’m confident that James is the right man to take the title forward."