Fry, Dee and Brydon to fill Humph's shoes

The trio will take turns to replace Humphrey Lyttelton when the long-running show starts recording in April.

Jazz trumpeter Lyttelton has hosted the series since its inception in 1972 until his death at the age of 86 last year.

Brydon, who presented one of the touring Clue shows after Lyttleton fell ill, said he was ‘hugely proud’ to be asked to step in again

The Gavin and Stacey star added that it was ‘not really a question of filling Humph's shoes because that couldn't be done - he was a complete one-off’.

He added: ‘It's a unique atmosphere on that show of such warmth that I've never really found on any other show and I think it's important for people to realise that it's a group of friends playing games together.’

Panelist Barry Cryer told BBC News: ‘It was a strange sort of watershed when dear Humph went, there was a relatively small movement that you must never do this show again. And then a torrent of e-mails and stuff came in saying you must go on, you must go on.

‘It's no disrespect to Humph at all. It's just people want the show to carry on and we'll be pleased to do it, even without the great man.’

Radio 4 controller Mark Damazer announced the news on the station's blog.

He said the new hosts were ’men of huge talent and I am confident that the show will work’.

The show will be recorded at the following locations, two each night, for broadcast in June. Tickets will be available from the theatres.

Sunday April 26: Her Majesty's Theatre, Haymarket, London, with host Stephen Fry. Tickets available from 10am on March 3

Sunday May 17: Mayflower Theatre, Southampton, with host Jack Dee. Tickets available from 9.30am on March 2

Thursday June 4: Theatre Royal in Newcastle, with host Rob Brydon. Tickets available from 9am on March 9.

Published: 25 Feb 2009