John Kitchen, the renowned violinist who made history when he became the youngest member of the BBC Concert Orchestra at the age of 21, has died at the age of 87. Although he died earlier in September, the news is only being made public now. No cause of death has been released. In his five-decade career, he enjoyed huge success in his field, and along with his work with the BBC Orchestra, he also enjoyed a long tenure with the London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO).

John was born in Lancaster in 1938, and his earliest violin lessons came from his father. He then went on to study at the Royal Manchester College of Music (RMCM). When he left the RMCM in 1957, he undertook his National Service with The Band of the Grenadier Guards. Two years later, in 1959, at the age of 21, he became the youngest member of the BBC Symphony Orchestra.

After six years with the BBC Concert Orchestra, he made the move to the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) in 1965. Initially he was appointed as sub-principal second violin before moving into the orchestra’s first violin section.

Three years later, in 1968, he was recommended to the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland (RTÉ) by fellow violinist Hugh Maguire. This saw him move to Dublin as the orchestra’s leader where he remained for four years.

In 1971, he returned to the UK and rejoined the LSO, joining their first violin section two years later in 1973.

He remained there for another four years before moving once again in 1977 - this time to the English Chamber Orchestra.

However, the lure of LPO was too strong, and he returned to the first violin section in 1982 and remained there until his retirement in 2009.

Although he left his orchestra career behind, he didn't rest on his laurels and he concentrated on playing chamber music and teaching in the years that followed.

Tributes flooded in for the star as people learned of his death. Writing on Facebook, one said: "My heart goes out to John Kitchen's family and friends." Another added: "My deepest condolences to his family, colleagues and friends."

A third chimed in: "I remember him so well. Deepest sympathy for his family." Meanwhile, a fourth wrote: Condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues."