The BBC network has ended months of speculation by revealing that Martin will leave the station at the end of March next year, triggering a search for a replacement to control the musical output of the UK's most-listened-to radio station.

Notices are due to appear next week in The Guardian, Music Week and the BBC's internal publication Aerial advertising the position, which oversees Radio Two's weekly playlist committee, steers the music output and reports directly into station controller Lesley Douglas.