Born in Cleethorpes, Temperton started out as one of the founding members of the pioneering funk/disco band Heatwave in 1974. He wrote a string of million-selling singles for the band, including 'Boogie Nights' and 'Always and Forever'.

In a statement, Jon Platt, chairman of music publisher Warner/Chappell, said Temperton died in London last week at the age of 66 following "a brief aggressive battle with cancer".

Platt paid tribute the extensive back catalogue of the Temperton. He said: “He was the sole writer of multiple successful songs such as 'Thriller', 'Off The Wall', 'Rock With You', 'Give Me The Night', and 'Boogie Nights', to name just a few."

The Thriller album has sold over 30 million copies in the US alone, making it one of the highest selling albums of all time.

Here's the video to Michael Jackson's timeless classic: