The BBC issued an apology after mistakenly playing a song by jazz musician George Benson during a tribute for the recently deceased British film composer George Fenton. During a Monday evening broadcast of BBC Radio 2’s The Good Groove, presenter Melvin Odoom confused the two Georges and played Benson's "Nature Boy" as part of the tribute to Fenton. Social media users criticized the error, calling it disrespectful to Fenton's legacy.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-08,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The BBC mistakenly paid tribute to George Fenton, a renowned British film composer, by playing a song by still-living American jazz musician George Benson on its Radio 2 station. The error occurred during a Monday evening broadcast of "The Good Groove" music program after the news bulletin announcing Fenton's death at age 76. Composer David Arnold criticized the BBC for the mistake, calling it disrespectful to someone as esteemed and kind as Fenton. Listeners expressed disappointment on social media, with many pointing out that no one appears to check facts anymore. The broadcaster issued an apology for what they termed a "production error," acknowledging the gaffe in handling such sensitive information.
Written for “BBC Apology For Error” on 2026-10-08,
grounded in this article and the 1 other(s) covering the same event.
The BBC has apologised after paying tribute to the late film composer George Fenton by playing a song by jazz star George Benson - who is still alive.
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who → apologise → Benson
Mr Fenton, known for his collaborations with directors such as Lord Richard Attenborough, Nora Ephron and Ken Loach, died unexpectedly on Monday aged 76.
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Fenton → know → Monday
But during BBC Radio 2's The Good Groove music programme that evening, presenter Melvin Odoom appeared to mix him up with American jazz fusion star George Benson, 83.
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Odoom → appear → Benson
Following the 11pm news bulletin reporting Mr Fenton's death, Odoom, 46, led a tribute to Mr Fenton after which Mr Benson's 1977 song Nature Boy was played - despite the singer being alive.
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singer → follow → which
The mistake - which a spokesperson for the broadcaster apologised for and called a 'production error' - was noted across social media, with composer David Arnold taking to Bluesky to lambast the radio show.
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Arnold → apologise → show
He said: 'Radio 2 announced the passing of George Fenton on the 11pm news tonight,immediately followed by the presenter playing 'NatureBoy' by George Benson in tribute to 'George Benson'
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presenter → say → Benson
George was a genius composer and deserved better than that from the company he gave voice to @bbcradio2bot.bsky.social'
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he → deserve → @bbcradio2bot.bsky.social
Users across the site agreed with Mr Arnold, with one replying 'dreadful' and another saying: 'That's downright insulting.'
The BBC has apologised after paying tribute to the late film composer George Fenton by playing a song by a still-alive jazz star
During a BBC Radio 2 programme on Monday evening, Melvin Odoom appeared to mix Mr Fenton up with American jazz fusion star George Benson (pictured)
Mr Fenton, who was born in Kent in 1949, had written for theatre, television and film and received nominations for lucrative prizes including Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Academy Awards.
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who → agree → Globes
In the 1980s, he wrote the music for The Jewel In The Crown, The Monocled Mutineer, and Alan Bennett´s Talking Heads.
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he → write → Crown
Mr Fenton, who was made a CBE for services to music in 2023, also wrote theme music for television including BBC´s One O´Clock News, Six O´Clock News, Nine O´Clock News, Newsnight and The Money Programme, the website adds.
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website → make → News
A post on his website says: 'In 1990, George scored his first natural history documentary series, David Attenborough´s The Trials Of Life, and followed it up with Attenborough´s next series, Life In The Freezer.
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George → say → Freezer
'This led to the producer Alastair Fothergill asking George to compose the music for The Blue Planet in 2001, which began a 10-year period of writing for natural history television programmes, including Planet Earth, Frozen Planet and Life.
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which → lead → Earth
In 2022 George partnered up with Alastair Fothergill and David Attenborough again, this time for BBC One´s Wild Isles series.'
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George → partner → series
He died on Monday, October 5 in London, his management said.
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management → die → London
A spokesperson for CMG management said: 'We are sad to announce that George Fenton passed away unexpectedly today.
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Fenton → say → management
He is survived by his loving wife Amanda, ex-wife Jane, children Gemma, Grace and Bridget, and grandchildren Lola, Audrey, Alfred, George, Frank, Beatrice, and a life of music.'
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He → survive → music
The Aporia
