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Leslie Osborne

1905 – 1990

English television and music executive and composer

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About Leslie Osborne

Lived 1905 – 1990 (aged 84–85). Leslie Osborne was a British composer.

Leslie Osborne (1905–1990) was an English television and music executive and composer of light music and themes for television and radio. As a composer, he wrote a number of lighter orchestral pieces such as Lullaby for Penelope.

In 1976, Osborne worked for ATV Music and was responsible for trying to get the company's catalogue airtime on BBC radio programmes. In that role, he met composer Simon May, who had then recently had a pop hit with his song "Summer of My Life". Osborne later introduced May to various other TV executives, and he was commissioned to write themes for Skorpion, Cold Warrior, EastEnders and Howards' Way.

Because of his executive role, Osborne was able to secure a writer credit for the themes for EastEnders and Howards' Way, despite, in reality, May being the sole composer. May says that Osborne "didn't write a single note... I could have possibly have insisted on retaining the copyright of EastEnders for myself, but if I had done so, I would have probably have lost the Howards' Way commission."

He also wrote the music for the hymn "Praise the Lord in the Rhythm of Your Music", featured in the popular children's hymnal Come and Praise.

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Important facts

Born
1905
Birth century
Died
1990
Occupation
Also known as
Leslie Herbert Osborne

People in Leslie Osborne's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Leslie Osborne's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Leslie Osborne?

English television and music executive and composer (1905–1990)

When was Leslie Osborne born?

Leslie Osborne was born in 1905.

When did Leslie Osborne die?

Leslie Osborne died in 1990.

What was Leslie Osborne's occupation?

Leslie Osborne was a composer.

What nationality was Leslie Osborne?

Leslie Osborne was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Leslie Osborne

· Wikidata: Q15433934

· DBpedia: Leslie Osborne (composer)

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Leslie Osborne. https://biography.guide/leslie-osborne-composer/

MLA: "Leslie Osborne." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/leslie-osborne-composer/.

Chicago: "Leslie Osborne." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/leslie-osborne-composer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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