Alan Hawkshaw, composer of Countdown theme tune, dies aged 84

Alan Hawkshaw (Handout/PA)

Alan Hawkshaw, who composed the theme tunes of iconic TV shows Grange Hill and Countdown, has died aged 84.

In a statement, talent agency DNA Music Ltd said Hawkshaw died in the early hours of Saturday after being admitted to hospital with pneumonia earlier this week.

He had spent the last few months recovering from a fourth stroke which he suffered in July.

The statement called Hawkshaw “one of the most sampled musicians in the world”, adding: “Alan was behind such incredible theme tunes as Grange Hill, Channel 4 News, Countdown, Dave Allen at Large, and Arthur C Clarke’s Mysterious World to name but a few.

“He played on a staggering 7,000 prominent recording artist music sessions… including Olivia Newton-John, Serge Gainsbourg, Tom Jones, Barbra Streisand (and) David Bowie.

“We can guarantee if you don’t know Alan’s name – you will know his incomparable music.”

We are devastated to share this news 💔 pic.twitter.com/8PBQ9chxIN

— DNA Music Limited (@DNAMUSICLTD) October 16, 2021

Hawkshaw’s wife Christiane called his death “heartbreaking”.

She said: “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 and I had been unable to speak for the past two months, he managed a few ‘forevers’ and I knew he was at peace.”

The Leeds-born musician wrote the music for “more than 35 films and countless television programmes”, according to his website.

Hawkshaw began his career in the 1960’s as a member of the band Emile Ford & The Checkmates, who toured with The Rolling Stones.

In the 1970’s he worked as Newton-John’s musical director and arranger/pianist, and received an Academy Award for best arrangement for the song I Honestly Love You.

He was also sampled on the hit Jay-Z song Pray, which featured on the rapper’s American Gangster album.

In 2004, he set up The Alan Hawkshaw Foundation in association with the Performing Rights Society.

The scholarship programme provides financial support to gifted young musicians at the Leeds College of Music, now the Leeds Conservatoire, and the National Film & Television School.

Earlier this year, Hawkshaw received a British Empire Medal for service to the music industry.