Alan Keith 1950s, he devoted time to devising and presenting music programmes for the BBC. In 1959, he devised "Your Hundred Best Tunes", a programme of famous classical music, operetta and ballads. Keith chose the original 100 pieces himself. Many works were suggested by listeners and played in the programme. Thus a good many more than 100 works were played and the list evolved. Therefore, in subsequent years, a 100 Best were periodically voted for by listeners. In early March 2003, at the age of 94, he recorded an announcement that he intended to retire from the programme after 44 years. However,
Your Hundred Best Tunes but returned to what had been the Light Programme, now renamed Radio 2, from 5 April 1970. The last show was transmitted on 21 January 2007 – a run of over 47 years. For most of this time, it was presented by the original creator, Alan Keith, who continued up to the age of 94. After his death in 2003, Richard Baker presented the show. Holiday guest presenters included Lady Evelyn Barbirolli, Rosalind Runcie, Earl Spencer and Ursula Vaughan Williams. The show was terminated by BBC controller Lesley Douglas, who replaced it with a longer "Melodies for You", presented by