Vangelis, composer of Chariots of Fire and Blade Runner soundtracks, dies aged 79

Greek composer topped US charts with Chariots of Fire's uplifting piano-led theme

Vangelis, the Greek composer and musician whose synth-driven work brought huge drama to film soundtracks including Blade Runner and Chariots of Fire, has died aged 79. His representatives said he died in hospital in France where he was being treated.

Born Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou in 1943, Vangelis won an Oscar for his 1981 Chariots of Fire soundtrack. Its uplifting piano motif became world-renowned, and reached No 1 in the US charts, as did the accompanying soundtrack album. As well as other scores, he also found success with the group Aphrodite's Child.