Ed Welch, a renowned English composer and songwriter, entered the world on October 22nd, 1947, in the esteemed city of Oxford, England. Throughout his illustrious career, Welch has made a significant impact in the realm of music, leaving an indelible mark on the world of children's entertainment.
In a pivotal moment in his professional journey, Welch took the reins as songwriter and song composer for the beloved franchise Thomas & Friends, assuming the role with the eighth series. This marked a significant departure from the original creative team, comprised of Mike O'Donnell and Junior Campbell, who had previously crafted the show's iconic soundtracks.
Welch's tenure as songwriter and song composer for Thomas & Friends was marked by his unique creative vision and artistic flair, as he brought his own distinct style to the show's music. However, his time on the project eventually came to a close with the release of The Great Discovery.
In a subsequent development, Robert Hartshorne took over Welch's position as songwriter and song composer, beginning with the release of Hero of the Rails. Despite his departure from the show, Welch's contributions to Thomas & Friends continue to be cherished by fans and remembered as an integral part of the franchise's enduring success.
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Notably, he has also ventured into creating music for various children's television programs, including Jim Henson's Animal Show featuring Stinky and Jake, Mopatop's Shop, Jim Henson's Construction Site, and The Hoobs, in addition to Funky Valley, Grizzly Tales For Gruesome Kids, The Dodo Club, Frootie Tooties, Wolves, Witches and Giants, Funky Town, and Binka.
Furthermore, his repertoire extends to providing music for a range of other projects, such as the BBC sitcom One Foot in the Grave, as well as game shows like Catchphrase, Blockbusters, and Knightmare.














