John Pickles, the founder of novelty pop act Jive Bunny and The Mastermixers, has died aged 84, as confirmed by Mastermix, the company he established. Pickles formed the group in Rotherham in 1989, and it became a notable chart phenomenon of its era by blending contemporary pop with hits from earlier decades using synthesisers and sampling techniques.

Jive Bunny scored three UK number one singles — Swing The Mood, That's What I Like and Let's Party — alongside a top 10 album and five top 10 hits in total. The act comprised Pickles, his son Andrew, and Doncaster DJ Les Hemstock, and was known for its cartoon rabbit mascot featured on record covers and in promotional appearances. Mastermix described him as "a true pioneer in the music industry", and a new Jive Bunny production, 3, 6, 9, was released as recently as December 2024.