Dudley Simpson was one of Australia's most accomplished musical exports. He learned piano as a child before serving in the Second World War in New Guinea. He then studied orchestration and composition at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. He became an assistant conductor and pianist at the Borovansky Ballet, later becoming its musical director. In this capacity he met 'Margot Fonteyn' , decided he wanted to use electronic composers for the series. Simpson continued to work in British television in the 1980s before moving back to Australia for his retirement.
Before becoming famous for his work in British television, Simpson was Margot Fonteyn s musical director.
His distinctive music for television was often created using an ensemble of just a couple of horns, clarinet and bass clarinet, percussion and electric organ.
He graduated in Composition and Pianoforte from Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. He was also qualified in Orchestration.
His contribution to British television led director Michael Hayes to describe him as "the UKs answer to Bernard Herrmann ".
He was the first choice to compose incidental music for "Doctor Who" under three successive producers of the series: Barry Letts , Philip Hinchcliffe and Graham Williams.
He died just two days after the director Paddy Russell , with whom he worked on three "Doctor Who" serials.
His death was marked with a five minute tribute by Matthew Sweet on BBC Radio 4s Last Word.
