Herbert Kretzmer: Les Misérables lyricist dies aged 95

Writer was described as ‘a giant of his trade’

Herbert Kretzmer was best known for penning the English-language lyrics to 'Les Mis’ (Getty)

Herbert Kretzmer, the lyricist best known for writing the English-language adaptation of Les Misérables, has died at the age of 95.

The writer was also known for writing the songs “She”, which was a hit for French singer Charles Aznavour in 1974, and “Goodness Gracious Me”, which was made famous in 1960 by Peter Sellers and Sophia Loren. 

Born in South Africa on 5 October 1925, Kretzmer moved to London in 1954, and worked as both a journalist and a lyric writer throughout the subsequent decades.

Herbert Kretzmer photographed on 9 November 1968 (Getty)

He became the Daily Express’s senior drama critic, and, later, a TV critic for the Daily Mail.

Among his other works are the West End shows Our Man Crichton and The Four Musketeers, both of which were produced during the 1960s.

Les Misérables producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh described Kretzmer’s death as “terribly sad”, adding: “His wonderful words for Les Misérables will live on in his memory forever more.”

Lyricist and Andrew Lloyd Webber collaborator Sir Tim Rice also posted a tribute to the late writer.

“The great lyricist and man of theatre and popular song, Herbert Kretzmer, has died,” he wrote.

“From Les Mis to ‘She’, TW3, ‘Goodness Gracious Me’ and so much more, he was a giant of his trade. RIP Herbie.”