TRIBUTES have been paid to the man behind the renowned Inspector Morse theme tune - which was conducted in his Westcliff home.

Barrington Pheloung, who composed the haunting theme for television drama Inspector Morse, has died aged 65.

The Australian-born composer passed away early last week in his home in Australia, sparking an outpouring of emotion from fans.

Many will instantly recognise his highly regarded theme tune for the Inspector Morse TV series, instantly relating it to Oxford, where the show is set.

But the score was actually composed in Mr Pheloung’s Westcliff home.

The composer owned a home near to the seafront, and spent up to 15 hours-a-day in his rooftop workroom, creating scores for the television show, as well as musical pieces for films, ballet and concerts.

Mr Pheloung composed for Inspector Morse since it started in 1987, all the way until its 33rd and final episode before continuing with Lewis.

A tribute from his record company, DNA Music, given to Classic FM read: “Some people just can’t help making a difference in our lives by simply being who they are. They make the world a little brighter, a little warmer and a lot funnier.

“Barrington was one of these people. An incredible composer, his music has touched us all and thankfully we have the memories and his music to cherish him by.

“This is a very sad day, our hearts and thoughts are with Barrington’s wife Heather, his sons, Anthony, Danny and Timmy and his daughter Adel at this very sad time.”

The Inspector Morse soundtrack proved so popular that Mr Pheloung became inundated with requests for the music to be released on CD.

After growing tired of making cassettes for people, he requested that Virgin Records released a CD, with the first of four Inspector Morse CDs charting at number four.

And Mr Pheloung endeared himself further to fans, regularly having fun with the theme tune.

He would spell out the name of the detective in Morse Code at the beginning of the theme tune, as well as often sneaking the name of that episode’s killer into the theme tune in Morse Code. Born in Manly, New South Wales, in 1954, he started playing the guitar at the age of five and moved to London in his teens to study at the Royal College of Music.