Malcolm Laycock was born in Keighley, West Riding of Yorkshire, where his parents owned a grocer's shop.
[4] He attended Bradford Grammar School after gaining a scholarship, and was a contemporary and friend of the artist David Hockney.
[6] As a presenter for the World Service, he hosted a number of shows, including Jazz for the Asking, several series of Kings of Swing, The Big Band Singers, and the documentary Glenn Miller – The Legacy.
[7] His other credits included documentaries on performers such as Nat King Cole, Ted Heath, Joe Loss and Gilbert Becaud (whom Laycock interviewed on the singer's yacht in the south of France).
[2][4] In 1992, along with fellow broadcaster Dave Gelly, Laycock established a production company devoted to making programmes about vintage jazz and popular music.
The BBC denied this was the case, and said his departure had occurred because they were unable to meet his demand for a pay rise (from a salary of £24,000)[1] of 60%.
[5] He presented his final edition of Sunday Night at 10 on 26 July 2009,[10] announcing his departure on air,[5] a move that took his bosses by surprise.
Laycock's departure prompted outraged listeners to write to Radio 2 controller Bob Shennan, and even their local MPs, in an attempt to bring him back.