Radio 4's Clue quiz is to return

Humphrey Lyttelton (second left) died in April at the age of 86

Long-running comedy show I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue will return to Radio 4, the BBC has confirmed.

The programme will come back with a new host as a result of the death of Humphrey Lyttelton, chairman of the series since its inception in 1972.

Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer said in April, when "Humph" died, he had an "open mind" on whether it would return.

A BBC spokesman said a new series was planned for next year, but no decision had been made on who would present it.

Innuendoes

"We received thousands of bits of correspondence, many expressing condolences for Humphrey, but the overwhelming majority wanted us to bring the show back," Mr Damazer said.

"The team also wanted to come back, so it will come back in late spring or early summer next year."

Lyttelton, famous for his innuendo and deadpan performances, died in April at the age of 86 following complications for surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm.

Just before the operation the BBC announced it was cancelling the recording of the latest series of the show.

Separately Mr Damazer has announced that Radio 4 will broadcast the dramatisation of eight John le Carre spy novels in celebration of "a great, great British author".

The George Smiley series of books was seen on TV in the 1980s, featuring Sir Alec Guinness, and will be broadcast next May over 20 hours.