The flute that features on the Beatles’ iconic song The Fool On The Hill is to go under the hammer.
Owned by leading British flautist Jack Ellory until his death in 2009, the flute will be sold at auction at Gardiner Houlgate in Wiltshire on 12 June – and is expected to fetch up to £20,000.
Ellory was a prolific session musician who played on classical and pop music records as well as soundtracks for the Sean Connery-period James Bond films, Pink Panther films, and the musical Oliver!
His son Brian Ellory said he hoped the restored instrument, which was held together by elastic bands when he inherited it, goes to someone “who can make music with it” and “appreciates its incredible history”.