Humphrey Lyttelton

Humphrey Richard Adeane Lyttelton (23 May 1921 – 25 April 2008) was an English jazz musician and broadcaster, for 36 years chairman of the BBC radio programme I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.

Humphrey Lyttelton in 2007

Quotes

• An interviewer had researched Lyttelton's other interests and asked him about "orthinology" (sic). Lyttelton said that he kept a straight face and answered the question but 24 hours later thought of what he should have replied: "Oh, you mean word-botching".
  • BBC Radio 4 Midnight News (26 April 2008)

• Now it's time to play a brand new game called Name That Barcode. Here's the first one: "Thick black, thin white, thick black, thick white, thick black, thin white." OK who's going to identify that?
  • The Guardian (26 April 2008)

• Well as the vanquished charwoman of time begins to Shake-n-Vac the shagpile of eternity, I've noticed that we've just run out of time...
  • The Guardian (26 April 2008)

• After tasting the meat pies, Samantha said she liked Mr Dewhurst’s beef in ale; although she preferred his tongue in cider.
  • The Times (26 April 2008)
• Coincidence is a wonderful thing.
  • ISIHAC after Jeremy Hardy came in on time in the round of pick up song.

About Lyttelton

• One musn't be misled by the amiable, bumbling persona. ... He is a toughly intelligent man moving confidently in any kind of surroundings from Windsor Castle to Birdland.
  • Philip Larkin cited in Times obituary (28 April 2008)