You could easily assume that Kit Hesketh-Harvey, who has died unexpectedly aged 65, was an old-fashioned throwback to the literate, sarcastic and brilliant songwriting tradition – as a lyricist – of Cole Porter, Noël Coward, Michael Flanders and Tom Lehrer. And you would be right.
He harnessed this gift for putting words to music, over four decades, to some talented contemporary obsessions and composers. His cabaret act with the pianist and composer Richard Sisson, Kit and the Widow, was an acclaimed club, restaurant and touring gig throughout the UK.
