He shall be missed. His BBC Biography reads:
Humphrey Lyttelton, a self-taught trumpet player, is one of the father figures of British jazz. He is the chairman of I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and presents The Best of British Jazz on Radio 2.
He was educated at Eton and went to Camberwell Art School. On leaving school he worked briefly in a steel works in south Wales. In 1993 he won a Sony Gold Award for Services to Broadcasting.
Humphrey has written several music books as well as his autobiography. He has worked as a music reviewer, written for Punch, been a cartoonist on The Daily Mail and a restaurant critic for Harpers and Queen.
He is a great-grandfather and his favourite pastimes are bird-watching and calligraphy. In April 2000 he was honoured with a lifetime achievement award at the Post Office British Jazz Awards.
It was only October last year that I saw ‘clue’, and I’m glad I took the opportunity.
At the time I said:
The highlight of the evening, as always with ‘Clue’ was Humphrey Lyttleton. The man is a legend, with a sense of timing that’s superb. After a hilarious stint by the panel, Humph will pause, say ‘mmm’ in a resigned way… and move on. The best bit of the show was the finale - after the kazoo and swannie-whistle round, Humphrey’s trumpet came out, and we were treated to ‘We’ll meet again’. Accompanied of course, by kazoo and swannie-whistle.
After the show, I really wanted to wait by the stage door - mainly to meet Humphrey, but also to see the Goodies (sorry, Jeremy, Barry and Colin). Unfortunately we had a little drive to get home, and needed to get home safely with tiredness creeping up - so it wasn’t to be.
I also said:
Humph isn’t likely to retire!
How prophetic…
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It’s a sad day for everyone - must have really upset Mrs Trellis.
I never made it to see the live shows but I saw Humph play a few times and met some of the people in his band. What came across was a man who loved what he did. I guess even if the operation was a success he wouldn’t have been able to play again.
I wonder just where the great radio voices will come from now after his loss and that of Brian Johnston and just who will keep Colin Snell in check …