The newly-knighted BBC presenter has not been heard on his Radio 2 afternoon show since Tuesday.

Sir Jimmy had a hip replacement operation in 1996, and it is believed that Thursday's operation was to correct a problem which has arisen since.

The veteran radio personality, who will be off the air for the next few weeks convalescing, had already been scheduled to have a three-week summer break.

BBC Radio 2 controller Jim Moir said: "We are pleased to say that Sir Jimmy Young has had a successful operation yesterday to rectify a hip problem and is now recuperating.

Standing in

"He will return to work after a period of convalescence.

"All his colleagues at Radio 2 wish him the speediest of recoveries."

Colleague Ken Bruce has been standing in for his popular early afternoon show this week.

Sir Jimmy, who was given his knighthood by the Prince Of Wales last week, is due to leave his programme at the end of the year after 26 years.

During his tenure on the show, he has interviewed all the UK's political leaders - including former Conservative Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher 14 times.

But he will continue to work on BBC Radio 2 with a new weekend current affairs programme after he leaves his daily show.

He is widely expected to be replaced by Newsnight's Jeremy Vine, who will also be standing in for him next week.