BBC Radio 2 apologises for tribute mistaking George Fenton for alive musician

The BBC was forced to apologise after a Radio 2 presenter accidentally paid tribute to the late film composer George Fenton with the music of jazz artist George Benson, who is very much alive.

Fenton, who scored Sir David Attenborough’s wildlife documentaries and worked alongside directors including Nora Ephron and Ken Loach, died unexpectedly on Monday (5 October) aged 76.

Later that evening, DJ Melvin Odoom – who recently left Radio 1 following a dramatic shake-up at the station – was covering the Good Groove show on Radio 2 when he appeared to attempt to pay “tribute” to Groundhog Day score composer Fenton.

Instead, however, the presenter led a tribute to 10-time Grammy-winning jazz musician Benson, 83.

“Right now, in a tribute for George Benson, this is ‘Nature Boy’ on The Good Groove,” he said, before launching into Benson’s 1977 cover of the Nat King Cole classic.

The error was spotted by composer David Arnold, who wrote on X that the slip-up was particularly galling given Fenton’s work with the BBC.

The composer wrote the themes Radio 4’s PM, the Six O’Clock News, Nine O’Clock News, Newsnight and Shoestring. He also composed the music for Attenborough’s nature documentaries Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and Wild Isles.

“Radio 2 announced the passing of George Fenton on the 11pm news tonight, immediately followed by the presenter playing ‘Nature Boy’ by George Benson in tribute to ‘George Benson’,” Arnold said.

“George was a genius composer and deserved better than that from the company he gave voice to.”

In a statement, a BBC spokesperson said: “This was a production error, for which we apologise.”

Fenton’s death was announced on Monday by his management, who said: “We are sad to announce that George Fenton passed away unexpectedly today.

“He is survived by his loving wife Amanda, ex-wife Jane, children Gemma, Grace and Bridget, and grandchildren Lola, Audrey, Alfred, George, Frank, Beatrice, and a life of music.”

“Give Me The Night” musician, Benson, meanwhile, is still alive, although the cancellation of his UK tour in 2024 due to “ill health” brought to an end to a lifetime on the road for the guitarist.

“With a heavy heart, George has taken the advice of his doctors to stop touring internationally,” his promoter said at the time.

“The strain of long distance travel has now been deemed too much for George. We are desperately sorry to disappoint all of his fans, but he has to take the advice given.”

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