Jools Holland to be honoured for contribution to music

Holland was awarded an OBE in 2003

Presenter Jools Holland is to be honoured for his contribution to music and broadcasting.

The 53-year-old will receive the Music Industry Trusts' Award at London's Grosvenor House Hotel on 7 November.

Chairman of the award committee, David Munns, said they were looking for "someone special for our 20th anniversary".

"There is no one in the UK more associated with popularising music than Jools," he added.

More than 1,000 guests will attend the charity event in aid of Nordoff Robbins and the BRIT Trust.

Previous recipients of the award include Sir Tom Jones, Sir Elton John and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Other past recipients have included Beatles producer Sir George Martin, James Bond composer John Barry and Ahmet Ertegun, co-founder of Atlantic Records.

Lifelong passion

Holland, whose careers has spanned some 30 years, said it was "wonderful to be honoured".

"My lifelong passion is music, and I've been so lucky to be able to indulge this for more years than I care to think about."

The musician started playing piano at an early age, and was a founding member of the group Squeeze in 1974. In 1987, he formed his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra, which continues to tour today.

He has presented Later... With Jools Holland since 1992, and was awarded an OBE in 2003 for his services to the British music industry.