[3] During his military service in the 1940s he became a member of Buddy Featherstonhaugh’s Radio Rhythm Club Sextet and played drums with Vic Lewis and other servicemen who were keen on jazz.
He was appointed as the musical director for ATV in 1956,[2] a post he held until 1981, and was the "real" conductor for The Muppet Show orchestra for the series entire run and composed the score theme to ITC Entertainment.
[2] He composed many television themes, including Love Story (for which he won the Harriet Cohen Award), Father Brown, The Golden Shot and Family Fortunes.
In 1994, he took over as the leader of the London Big Band, which comprised some of Britain's leading jazz musicians.
[3] Parnell died in Southwold, Suffolk, from the effects of cancer on 8 August 2010, two days after his 87th birthday.