Michael Vaughan returns to BBC coverage for this summer's England Tests

The former England captain stepped back from punditry last June following accusations of using racist language towards Azeem Rafiq

Michael Vaughan will return to the BBC for this summer's men's Ashes series.

The 48-year-old, who captained England's Test side between 2003 and 2008, will also feature during the BBC's coverage of England's four-day Test against Ireland at the beginning of June.  

The former England captain stepped back from punditry last June after he was accused of using racist language towards Azeem Rafiq whilst they were teammates at Yorkshire.

^{Vaughan stepped back from punditry last June [Gareth Copley/Getty Images]}

Vaughan, along with Yorkshire and six other former players, was charged with bringing the game into disrepute by the ECB.

In March, he was cleared by the Cricket Discipline Commission and took the opportunity to describe the proceedings as "inappropriate and inadequate".

Vaughan added that the outcome "must not be allowed to detract from the core message that there can be no place for racism in the game of cricket, or in society generally".

Vaughan has taken on various media roles since retiring in 2009, working as a summariser for Test Match Special as well making TV appearances across the BBC, BT Sport, and Fox Sports in Australia.

England's clash with Ireland is scheduled to run from June 1-4, with the Ashes beginning on June 16.