LEGENDARY TV music composer Alan Hawkshaw has died at the age of 84.
Tributes poured in for the creator of the Countdown, Grange Hill and Channel 4 News theme tunes today.
The composer had produced some of the biggest theme tunes in British TV history, as well as working with the likes of David Bowie, Cliff Richard and Tom Jones.
Talent agency DNA Music Limited shared the news of his death today, confirming he died in the early hours this morning.
They said in a statement: "The proud Leeds born composer, musician and performer Alan Hawkshaw has tragically left us.
"He was behind such incredible theme tunes such as Grange Hill, Channel 4 News, Countdown, Dave Allen at Large, Arthur C Clarke's Mysterious World to name a few."
The post went on to remember some of Alan's 7,000 recording sessions, some of which went on to feature in Jay Z's music.
It said: "One of the most sampled musicians in the world, Hip Hop producers in particular have plundered Alan's catalogue of works including the biggest of them all, Jay-Z with Pray which featured on the American Gangster album.
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"Alan would often joke, 'I'm one of the oldest rap artists in the world!"
"He also famously said of Streisand, 'Barbara held this song of mine eight years until I sent her a note via one of her lawyers saying please record it before one of us dies.' (Barbara went on to record Alan's song Why Let It Go."
Alan is understood to have suffered a fourth stroke in July this year.
He was recovering at home until being admitted to hospital this week with pneumonia.
'AT PEACE'
He leaves behind wife Christine, who said in a statement: "It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to Alan, my husband of 53 years and the love of my life."
"We spent the last few hours gazing at each other with love, holding hands no need for words.
"I told him he and I were forever, and even though he had been unable to speak for the past two months, he managed a few 'forevers' and I knew he was at peace. When you love someone that much, you have to let them go."
Tributes for the star also poured in online, with one person writing on Twitter: "Goodbye Alan Hawkshaw.
"He wrote The Champ. He played on Melody Nelson. He was in the Shadows. He wrote the themes for Grange Hill, and Countdown, and Channel 4 News.
"Can’t be many days in my life where I haven’t heard at least one of them."
It was heartbreaking to say goodbye to Alan, my husband of 53 years and the love of my life.
Christiane HawkshawAnother said: "Very sad to hear of the death of Alan Hawkshaw, the composer, musician and library music don who gave us classic theme tunes such as Grange Hill, and played with many of the greats.
"Thoughts go out to his friends and family, including daughter Kirsty of Opus III fame. The Champ."
Someone else added: "His incidental music and legendary theme tunes were the soundtrack to our lives: Dave Allen, The Sweeney, Countdown, The Kenny Everett Video Show, Grange Hill, Tucker's Luck, and Arthur C Clarke's World of Strange Powers to name a few..."
As well as creating some of the biggest theme tunes on British TV, Alan was featured playing with David Bowie on the Bowie at the Beeb album, before playing for The Shadows in the 1970s.
He went on to work for the likes of Olivia Newton-John, Jane Birkin, and Serge Gainsbourg as a musical director, arranger and pianist and was a keyboard player for Cliff Richard, for whom he co-wrote the hit 'The Days of Love'.
Earlier this month, Alan was recognised on by Her Majesty the Queen in this year's Honours List, receiving the British Empire Medal (BEM) for his services to the music industry.
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He had also won countless awards and recognition over the years including a Doctorate for services to music by Hull University and a Fellowship by Leeds Conservatoire.
He gained two BMI Multi-Million Performance Awards, a BAFTA nomination for Best TV score and an Academy Award for Best Arrangement for 'I Honestly Love You' with Olivia Newton John.
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