Rumours of Brian Crook’s return to The Bridge have been dismissed by the agency, as it looks to fill the void left by Alan Clarke’s temporary absence due to illness.

Clarke, who was one of a team of four who led a MBO last month, has now taken leave from the agency to undergo surgery and treatment for cancer.

As a result, speculation has suggested that former co-owner and director at The Bridge, Brian Crook, may return to help take on part of Clarke’s workload with clients including SPT and Belhaven.

The agency has, however, denied that Crook is to return but did say that he was "involved with some projects" and that they expect Clarke to return following his recuperation. They added that the workload is to be taken on by those already within the agency.

The agency underwent an MBO at the end of January which saw Clarke take up a 27 percent stake alongside co-managing partners David Watson and Frank Stubbs, creative director, while director Margaret Byrnes took a 19% stake.

All four have worked at the agency for over a decade and completed the deal following months of negotiations with Crook and then creative director Jonathan d’Aguilar.

Meanwhile, The Drum has also learned that whisky brand Whyte and Mackay has ended its retainer relationship with the agency as speculation has suggested the whisky’s parent company is looking to offload the brand.

A spokesperson for Whyte and Mackay confirmed the move, and said that it would now work on a project basis for Vladivar Vodka and would return to The Bridge when creative work is needed in future.