Oldham’s composer to the stars gets MBE

Laurie (right) with singer Engelbert Humperdinck

OLDHAM-BORN pianist Laurie Holloway, who has written theme tunes for top TV shows for decades says he is delighted at being awarded an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

He said: “I was absolutely thrilled to bits. I was told to keep it a secret, but after three weeks I just had to tell my partner Maryann Lallyette and my daughter, Abigail.

“I am flattered and very pleased: it’s nice to be recognised for doing something you really enjoy.”

Laurie - who was also musical director for Englebert Humperdinck for several years - grew up in Trafalgar Street with his parents, Marcus and Annie until he left Oldham aged 16.

He started his working life as an apprentice draughtsman at Dronsfields, but ditched that for the world of music when he realised he was making more money playing piano.

The former Oldham Grammar School pupil played with bands at local dance venues as a young teenager, and turned professional at 16. Two years later he spent a year playing on cruise liners, which took him several times to New York.

When his career as a TV musical director brought him greater fame, he wrote the theme tunes for many TV shows including Blind Date, Beadle’s About and Game for a Laugh. He was musical director for the “Parkinson” show for a decade and the first musical director of Strictly Come Dancing.

“But I still follow Oldham Athletic,” said Laurie (75), who lives in Bray, near Maidenhead. “I can’t get them out of my system.”

Oldham remains in his blood: once wrote and recorded a tune called “Oldham Town Hall”.

Laurie, who has two daughters and three sons, also does a lot of charity work and plays the piano at concerts. “I’m still going strong,” he said.

His MBE was granted both for services to music and as co-founder of the Montgomery Holloway Charitable Trust, founded with his late wife, American jazz singer Marion Montgomery in 1996.

The trust provides music education and training and an opportunity for aspiring musicians to perform on stage.