Bond theme composer Monty Norman dies at 94

Monty Norman, the composer and lyricist who helped create the famous James Bond theme tune, has died at the age of 94, his family have confirmed.

His Bond theme, commissioned for 1962's Dr No, was used throughout the series.

Bond producer Cubby Broccoli had asked Norman to compose the first movie's score, having been impressed with his stage musical CV.

He won several legal battles about the authorship of the iconic music - as John Barry rearranged it.

He was also a big band singer and composed musicals which had success on Broadway and the West End.

For the main Bond theme tune, Monty was inspired by previous compositions 'Bad Sign Good Sign' from an abandoned production of VS Naipaul's A House For Mr Biswas - and re-wrote it with the international spy in mind.

Norman died on Monday following a short illness, his family said in a statement.