Somewhat late, I have had my attention drawn to the death of Cyril Ornadel.

He was a musical conductor, primarily for the London productions of major musicals including such as 'My Fair Lady', but he also conducted for a long running series on TV and wrote the music for several musicals, among which was 'Pickwick' which included the song 'If I Ruled The World'. 

The connection with Bing?  Bing recorded two songs written by Ornadel - 'Children' and 'At My Time Of Life' both recorded on 19th January 1976. 'At My Time Of Life' was included in the Palladium Concert which was also recorded a few months later.

Some obituaries here:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/music-obituaries/8707545/Cyril-Ornadel.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011/jul/14/cyril-ornadel-obituary
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/cyril-ornadel-conductor-and-composer-best-known-for-sunday-night-at-the-london-palladium-2301301.html