Humphrey Lyttelton retires from Radio 2

Humphrey Lyttelton is to retire from his weekly BBC Radio 2 show after nearly 40 years.

The musician and presenter will broadcast his last The Best Of Jazz show on Monday. He is leaving "to clear a space for some of my other ambitions", he said.

"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," said Lyttelton, who still presents I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue on Radio 4. "Meanwhile, 'au revoir'."

He will use his final show to play ten songs marking memories and landmarks in his own life.

Radio 2 controller Lesley Douglas paid tribute to Lyttelton, who plays the trumpet, as a "giant" in jazz and music broadcasting. "His listeners will miss him on Radio 2, and the world of music broadcasting will be the poorer without his weekly show," she said.

"We wish him continued success in his other pursuits for many years to come – and I hope this is not the last time he will be heard on Radio 2."

Lyttelton's previous programmes include Jazz 625, Jazz Goes to College and Jazz Club.