Sunday Game theme tune composer James Last dies

Big band leader James Last has died aged 86 at his home in Florida.

The German-born musician sold more than 80 million albums worldwide and was a regular fixture on Irish and UK TV for many years, with the peak of his fame being the 1980s.

In a statement, his manager said: "Mr Last passed away yesterday in Florida, peacefully and in the presence of his family."

Last is best known in Ireland for the tune Jägerlatein - otherwise known as The Sunday Game theme tune.

RTÉ replaced it as the theme tune of The Sunday Game in 2004, an unpopular move which was reversed four years later.

Last started his career in the ruins of post-war Germany and went on to sell more than 80 million records.

His manager said he had died after a “short, severe illness”.

She said: “In him, the world loses a unique ambassador whose expressive and all-encompassing language was music.

“We bid farewell to the man, friend and visionary, who by his impressive strength and openness, his professionalism, modesty and love of life served as a role model and as an inspiration for many generations worldwide.”