Former United Kingdom conductor and musical director at the Eurovision Song Contest, Ronnie Hazlehurst, has passed away aged 79.

Ronnie Hazlehurst served as musical director for the United Kingdom three times, and conducted the orchestra eight times in all. He will be most fondly and vividly remembered by Eurovision fans for conducting the UK entry for Wembley, 1977, with an umbrella instead of a baton. The song, Rock bottom, went on to come second place for the host country, performed by Lynsey de Paul and Mike Moran.

Hazlehurst was also the man behind many well-loved British TV theme tunes, including Are you being served?, Blankety blank and Some mothers do 'ave 'em.