The legendary 'fifth Beatle' Sir George Martin has died at 90

Sir George Martin, the legendary producer, died yesterday (March 8) at home his manager said.

Beatles drummer Ringo Starr broke the news on Twitter and led tributes, saying Sir George "will be missed".

In a career spanning five decades, Sir George signed the Beatles and produced more than 700 records.

He also worked with artists including Gerry and the Pacemakers, Shirley Bassey and Cilla Black.

Martin was a carpenter's son from Holloway in north London, and helped the Beatles achieve global success as the head of the Parlophone record label after hearing their demo tape in 1962.

He took them from their early 1960s recordings to the psychedelia of Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band.

His manager said in a statement that Sir George's family "would like to thank everyone for their thoughts, prayers and messages of support" after he passed away at home on Tuesday.

The news was also confirmed on Twitter by Ringo Starr who wrote: "God bless George Martin peace and love to Judy and his family ... Thank you for all your love and kindness George peace and love xx."

Martin had been nicknamed "the fifth Beatle."

Sean Ono Lennon, son of John and Yoko, posted an Instagram picture of Sir George with the caption: "R.I.P. George Martin. I'm so gutted I don't have many words. Thinking of Judy and Giles and family. Love Always, Sean."