Musician worked with Harry Hill, Steve Coogan and many more

Composer Steve Brown, who has worked on countless comedy shows, has died of lung disease.

He was a long-time collaborator of Harry Hill's and played bandleader Glenn Ponder on  Knowing Me, Knowing You... With Alan Partridge. He also wrote many of the songs for Spitting Image and collaborated with the likes of Lenny Henry, Lee Mack, Ant & Dec and Rory Bremner on their shows.

His agent Vivienne Clore posted on social media today: 'Devastated to share the news that our much loved client Steve Brown has passed away. Sod fibrosis lung disease.'

Brown leaves two sons, stand-up comedian Alfie Brown and musician Lenny Brown, from his first marriage to Dead Ringers star Jan Ravens. In 2010 he remarried, to actor Deborah Cornelius.

Those paying tribute on social media include impressionist Kate Robbins, who said: 'Steve Brown was a one-off talent. So funny, witty and kind, too . He will be much missed.'

Comedy writer and performer Michael Fenton Stevens said: 'So sad to hear that the brilliant Steve Brown has died. He was a unique talent and a lovely friend. Honoured to have known him'.

Brown began his career in comedy in the 1980s, with roles in radio comedies such as In One Ear and Week Ending.

He wrote a number of songs for the TV incarnation of Dead Ringers, even appearing briefly as Noel Gallagher.

In 1995 he composed the music for The Ant & Dec Show on Children's BBC, and later worked on their SMTV Live programme, for which he wrote the Wonky Donkey jingle, among other themes. He continued to work extensively as a jingle writer for their ITV show Saturday Night Takeaway.

He also worked as Steve Coogan's musical director on shows including The Man Who Thinks He Is It, and the TV special The Tony Ferrino Phenomenon.

Tony! The Tony Blair Rock Opera which he wrote with Hill, played the Edinburgh Fringe last year. Hill previously called Brown 'the best kept secret in showbiz', and they also wrote  I Can't Sing! The X Factor Musical together. 

The official X feed for the Tony Blair musical posted: 'We are deeply saddened to hear that our wonderful composer Steve Brown has passed away. A musical and comedy legend who brought joy to so many people through his genius writing. Thank you Steve for all the laughter - we shall miss you.' 

Brown also co-wrote the West End musical Spend Spend Spend about 1960s pools winner Viv Nicholson.

Its original star Barbara Dickson posted today: 'I am truly saddened to hear that the marvellous Steve Brown has died. He was a great songwriter and playwright. In Spend, Spend Spend, we all loved him. An inspiration to us in the theatre and a general good egg. RIP Stevie B. You and I won Pointless together, you clever boy.'

Published: 3 Feb 2024