Hopwood also served as a keyboardist, singer and guitarist for the post-Peter Noone outfit, Sour Mash, which recorded an unreleased album, A Whale of a Tale for RCA.

Noone's heavily accented delivery, together with Hopwood's muted rhythm guitar work, propelled the track to number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

During the 1960s, Herman’s Hermits would continue to garner more hits including I'm Henry the VIII, I Am, Silhouettes, Can't You Hear My Heartbeat, and My Sentimental Friend.

Ralph McTell recorded the theme tune to Cosgrove Hall Films's adaptation of The Wind in the Willows written by Hopwood and Malcolm Rowe, and this was released as a single in 1984, after the series was aired on ITV.

As well as scoring other Cosgrove Hall shows such as Creepy Crawlies & Alias the Jester with Malcolm Rowe, Foxbusters, Andy Pandy, Discworld, with Phil Bush, and Preston Pig and Albie.

Hopwood has proved himself a fine soundtrack composer, working mostly on animated television series including the hugely successful "Bob the Builder."