Lyttelton to end radio jazz show

Lyttelton is also a cartoonist, calligrapher and author

Veteran jazzman Humphrey Lyttelton is to present his last episode of BBC Radio 2's The Best Of Jazz - after 40 years in the hot seat.

Trumpet player Lyttelton, 86, who will present his last show on Monday, says he is retiring "to clear a space for some of my other ambitions".

In his last show, Lyttelton will play 10 of his favourite tracks that "hold memories and represent landmarks".

In 1993, "Humph" received a Sony Gold Award for services to broadcasting.

"I have had a great relationship with Radio 2 and my Best Of Jazz listeners and will perhaps pop in to make further contribution as the occasions arise," he said.

Humphrey Lyttelton is not only a giant in the world of jazz, but has also remained a giant of music broadcasting for the past 40 years Lesley Douglas Radio 2 controller

Hundreds of thousands of listeners have been introduced to the delights and difficulties of jazz through The Best Of Jazz.

Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas said: "Humphrey Lyttelton is not only a giant in the world of jazz, but has also remained a giant of music broadcasting for the past 40 years.

"His listeners will miss him on Radio 2 and the world of music broadcasting will be the poorer without his weekly show."

Lyttelton, described by Louis Armstrong as "that cat in England who swings his ass off", is also a presenter of Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue, and is a cartoonist, calligrapher and author.