BBC Radio Cymru's Gareth Glyn quits for composer role

Gareth Glyn said he has plans to write a Welsh opera

BBC Radio Cymru presenter Gareth Glyn has announced he is leaving his week-day radio news show after 34 years to concentrate on composing music.

He said he wanted to concentrate on his career as a composer and arranger.

His work includes a special arrangement of 'Nimrod' by Elgar for the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games.

Compositions by him have been performed by orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Concert Orchestra.

He has worked with soloists such as Bryn Terfel, Catrin Finch and Charlotte Church.

Anglesey-based Mr Glyn presents the Post Prynhawn news programme from the BBC studios in Bangor, where he will present a Sunday-morning classical music programme from April to June next year.

He also has plans to write a Welsh opera, he added.

Sian Gwynedd, BBC Cymru Wales head of Welsh languages programmes and services said Gareth Glyn's contribution to Welsh broadcasting and journalism was "immense and important".

"Gareth has been part of Radio Cymru listeners' lives since the station was launched and we thank him for his dedication and wish him all the best," she added.