German-born composer and big band leader James Last has died in Florida on June 9 at the age of 86.

James Last’s manager said he died at his home “peacefully and in the presence of his family”.

He sold millions of records with his trademark “happy music”.

James Last appeared at the Royal Albert Hall in the spring as part of a farewell tour he announced after becoming seriously ill last year.

The illness, which took a “life-threatening” turn last September, apparently forced James last to face the fact that “a man full of plans, needs to not just slow down but give up his life on tour altogether”.

James Last said the tour would give him the opportunity to bid farewell to his fans.

“The main thing is that my fans have the best concerts of their lives and we will make this our <<happiest>> concert yet,” he said when he announced the tour in February.

James Last started his music career in the 1960s, making instrumental recordings as James Last and His Orchestra – a big band with additional strings and a choir.

Over his career James Last produced 75 hit albums in Britain alone, and at his peak, was creating two albums a month.