Leslie Bricusse: 'Lyrical genius' of film dies aged 90

Leslie Bricusse, the prolific British songwriter behind many of cinema's biggest hits such as Candyman and Goldfinger, has died at the age of 90.

His friend Dame Joan Collins described him as "one of the giant songwriters of our time".

Petula Clark, who sang You and I from 1968's Goodbye Mr Chips, told BBC Radio 4 he was "extraordinary".

Bricusse's career spanned 60 years with other credits including Talk to the Animals from Doctor Dolittle.

He also wrote Candyman and Pure Imagination from the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.

Stage impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber released a statement, calling Bricusse "the most underestimated British songwriter of all time".

John Berlinsgame from Variety told the Today programme that Bricusse was "not only an artist but a lyrical genius".

In his six decade career, he was constantly writing and had a catalogue of more than 1,000 songs to his name.

He wrote the lyrics to Shirley Bassey's classic Goldfinger, one of the most memorable Bond theme tunes, with long-time collaborator Antony Newley.

Bricusse also wrote the lyrics to You Only Live Twice, sung by Nancy Sinatra.

Other collaborations with Newley, Dame Joan's former husband, included Feeling Good, made famous by Nina Simone.

Bricusse's agent confirmed the songwriter's death "with a breaking heart", saying he died in his sleep on Tuesday morning. He had been married to actress Yvonne Romain for more than 60 years.

Dame Joan said: "One of the giant songwriters of our time, writer of Candyman, Goldfinger amongst so many other hits, and my great friend Leslie Bricusse has sadly died today.

"He and his beautiful Evie have been in my life for over 50 years. I will miss him terribly, as will his many friends."

Film expert Berlinsgame told the Today programme: "He would be clever, very witty but also heartfelt and emotional."

Vocalist and actress Clark also told Today: "He was a dear friend who I've known for many years. He wrote all the time, never stopped. I will miss him… he was extraordinary, I'm just beside myself."

Stage star Elaine Paige said on Twitter: "Shocked & saddened by the news that the brilliant & wonderful Leslie Bricusse has died.

"One of our great songwriters. My first ever professional role was in Roar of the Greasepaint musical [for which Bricusse wrote Feeling Good]. We've been friends for many years."

Awards glory

Born in Pinner, north west London, Bricusse and Newley's fruitful partnership saw them write 1961 musical Stop the World I Want to Get Off and the 1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, based on Roald Dahl's popular children's book.

David Walliams paid tribute to Bricusse's songwriting saying on Twitter: "The great Gene Wilder sings Leslie Bricusse's magical Pure Imagination from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. It is so beautiful it makes me weep."

Bricusse also wrote many other musicals including Scrooge and Hook, the latter with Hollywood composer John Williams.

Sometimes working under the pseudonym Beverley Thorn, he co-wrote skiffle singer Lonnie Donegan's 1960 hit My Old Man's a Dustman (Ballad of a Refuse Disposal Officer).

Cher, Henri Mancini, Leslie Bricusse and Placido Domingo after the Oscar success of Victor/Victoria

But it was Bricusse's contribution to musicals that defined his career. This included two Oscars for his work. Talk to the Animals won best original song in 1968, while Victor/Victoria - which he wrote with Henry Mancini - won best original song score or adaptation in 1983.

He won a Grammy in 1963, which he shared with Newley, for the song What Kind of Fool Am I? from Stop the World I Want to Get Off.

Asked in 2015 how he felt about winning his Academy Awards, he said: "The Oscars are brilliant. If the whole world was run by the Oscar committee it would be a much better place.

"I have nothing but admiration for them. I'm playing par - I'm 10 nominations and two wins. So if you reckon you win one in five, I'm on par," he said.

Also in 2015, he staged Pure Imagination - The Songs of Leslie Bricusse, a musical revue reflecting on his vast back catalogue.

Gene Wilder sang Bricusse's Pure Imagination in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

The composer and lyricist was said to be adamant that his musical theatre scores should be sung traditionally, rather than jazzed up to suit a particular producer's whims.

Presenter and former musical theatre star Philip Schofield said: "I'm so sad to hear of the death of my friend, the brilliant Leslie Bricusse whose songs I loved singing in Dr Dolittle. My love to his family."

Bricusse described himself in his book Pure Imagination: A Sorta-biography as "one of the luckiest people I know, second only perhaps to Ringo Starr".

"It's not really an autobiography. It's about incidents rather than my entire life, and it's about other people as much as me. I just put down the things I remembered!"

Bricusse stated at the outset of one of his early chapters that he would be dropping names "like fragrant rose petals".

The book was interspersed with anecdotes and quotes from some of his famous friends, including Dame Julie Andrews, Sir Elton John and Sir Michael Caine.