BBC Radio 2 has issued an apology after an embarrassing on-air blunder saw the station confuse American jazz guitarist George Benson with the late British composer George Fenton.
The mix-up occurred on Monday evening, shortly after the 11pm news bulletin had reported Mr Fenton’s passing.
During The Good Groove – where Melvin Odoom was standing in for regular host DJ Spoony – the presenter proceeded to play George Benson’s rendition of Nature Boy, mistakenly offering it as a tribute to the wrong George.
A spokesman for the station told RadioToday: “This was a production error, for which we apologise.”
Fellow composer David Arnold took to social media platform Bluesky to voice his displeasure at the station’s error.
He wrote: “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’.
“George was a genius composer,” he added. “And deserved better than that from the company he gave voice to.”
BBC Radio 2 has issued an apology after an embarrassing on-air blunder
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Mr Fenton died on Monday, October 5, at the age of 76.
His distinguished body of work for the BBC spanned both television and radio.
The composer’s work included music on the films Gandhi and Groundhog Day, as well as BBC shows such as Blue Planet, and he even composed theme tunes for Newsnight and BBC Breakfast Time.
Melvin Odoom accidentally paid tribute to George Benson, who is still alive
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The cause of his death has not been revealed, but Mr Fenton had signed a new worldwide publishing deal just three weeks ago.
In a statement, Mr Fenton’s family said: “We are very sad to announce that George Fenton passed away unexpectedly today.”
They continued: “He is survived by his loving wife Amanda, ex-wife Jane, children Gemma, Grace and Bridget, and grandchildren Lola, Audrey, Alfred, George, Frank and Beatrice, and a life of music.”
George Fenton died on Monday, October 5, at the age of 76
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Born George Howe in Bromley, Kent in 1949, Mr Fenton received his first electric guitar at age seven.
He cited The Beatles as having a “big influence on me” and got his first job as composer and musical director at the age of 25.
He has since received five Oscar nominations, along with award wins at the BAFTA Awards, Emmy Awards and Ivor Novello Awards.