Inspector Morse theme tune composed by Barry Pheloung voted best of all time
INSPECTOR Morse has been voted the number one TV theme tune of all time in a poll by music fans.
More than 20,000 Classic FM listeners and Radio Times’ readers voted in a poll for their favourite TV themes.
The dark, hypnotic theme tune to the ITV crime drama series, composed by Australianborn Barrington Pheloung, first debuted on screen 34 years ago.
Mr Pheloung, who also composed theme tunes for Inspector Morse’s follow-up series
Lewis and its prequel, Endeavour, died in 2019 aged 65.
His widow, Heather Pheloung, said: “Thank you to everyone who voted for the Inspector Morse theme and Lewis theme.
“I’m sure Barry would’ve been overjoyed and honoured that the Inspector Morse theme has been chosen as the UK’S No.1 favourite TV theme of all time.
“It’s such incredible news. I know he would’ve been quite humbled to be receiving this accolade given the many great, iconic TV themes written for UK television.
“For Barry, writing music was a way he could bring joy and love to people, his music came from the heart, and composing music and bringing it to life was his passion.”
Inspector Morse, which starred John Thaw as a detective chief, aired for seven seasons from 1987 to 2000.
Kevin Whately, who co-starred in Inspector Morse and Lewis, said:
“It was a privilege to be involved in the making of these programmes, and it’s an honour to the memory of Barry to know it has such a place in people’s hearts.”