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Adam Giles, the former Northern Territory chief minister and Sky News host responsible for a matey interview with far-right nationalist Blair Cottrell, is returning to the network after two months off-air.

Giles’ show, The Adam Giles Show, was put into recess in August after he hosted Cottrell as a guest without challenging his views and public comments that have included pro-Nazi statements.

Giles and Sky News were heavily criticised over the interview, including by daytime Sky News presenters David Speers and Laura Jayes. Cottrell responded to Jayes’ criticism with a rape threat that got him suspended (but only temporarily) from Twitter.

Sky News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos said the interview was a “mistake”, that Cottrell would never appear on the network again and that the show would be reviewed while in recess. He also added a new management position, with news director Greg Byrnes made acting program director and his deputy, Kaycie Bradford, acting news director.

Frangopoulos said the production format and program structure would be reviewed while the program was in recess. But if Giles’ Facebook announcement of his return is anything to go by, not much has changed. 

“The Adam Giles Show will continue the same format, occasionally running an interview but always having a panel of guests to give their opinion on current affairs issues,” he wrote. 

Giles’ program had been running for less than two months when he hosted Cottrell. Sky News did not respond to Crikey’s questions on what changes have been made to the program while off-air.