Blue Planet and Gandhi composer George Fenton dies aged 76
Prolific film and television composer George Fenton has died at the age of 76. Known for his work on 'Gandhi', 'Blue Planet', and various BBC themes, he was a highly decorated musician in the UK.
Why it matters
Fenton's work significantly shaped the soundscapes of major films and iconic television programs, leaving a lasting cultural legacy.
Image source, Getty Images Image caption, George Fenton was one of the UK's most prolific and successful composers
Music correspondent Published 5 October 2026 Composer George Fenton, whose work included music for films such as Gandhi, Groundhog Day and The Fisher King, as well as TV shows like Planet Earth and Bergerac, has died at the age of 76.
The prolific musician received five Oscar nominations for his film scores, including those for Dangerous Liasions and Cry Freedom.
His work on the BBC TV show Blue Planet also earned awards from the Baftas, Emmy Awards and Ivor Novellos; and he also composed theme music for BBC News programmes such as Newsnight and Breakfast Time.
In a statement, Fenton's family said: "We are very sad to announce that George Fenton passed away unexpectedly today."
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