A COMPOSER whose music was unwittingly used in several film blockbusters without his knowledge was celebrating today as he enjoyed his royalties scoop.

The theatre and club performer could earn a fortune from his long lost success.

As a budding musician in 1972, John Anthony, now 60, from Whitefield, wrote A Time for Romance and sent it to EMI hoping for fame and fortune.

The track was put on to a library disc and circulated to television, radio and film studios.

But it was not until Mr Anthony and his wife Jean were watching The Full Monty - filmed in 1997 - in the comfort of their home in 1999 that Mrs Anthony recognised the song.

The composer contacted the Performing Rights Society, an organisation which ensures musicians receive the correct royalties.

It transpired that there were two songs with the same title and all the royalties had been going to the wrong composer.

A Time for Romance has featured in The Full Monty, Jackie Brown, The Bill, EastEnders and Disney blockbuster Monsters Inc, which opens nationwide this weekend.

Mr Anthony stands to earn royalties from every live performance of the song, including television and cinematic performances.

He will also receive mechanical royalties which means he will earn a certain amount every time the music is recorded, such as on to a video.