Watkins was "widely considered to be the foremost British Big Band trumpet player" of all time, said Mr Biggs.
Indeed, at one point Mr Biggs thought he had been offered the job, but the offer was apparently rescinded.
Mr Biggs is reported to be suing for the right to stay under the Human Rights Act, recently made part of British law.
But this is a thorny issue which BMW is reluctant to discuss - beyond Mr Biggs' insistence that "our business is in good shape".
Mr Biggs described his friend as "a people's person - no side, no ego, a fun-loving musician who couldn't get enough of life, who loved his family".
Mr Biggs said he was assured six weeks ago that a deal was imminent but there was still haggling over costs of developing the land and existing debts.
Some believed that Mr Pitt had indeed offered Mr Biggs the job, but had buckled under pressure from his former clients in the accounting industry, who were worried about Mr Biggs's reforming zeal.
In addition to writing investment books and magazine columns on investment advice, Mr. Biggs was an avid outdoorsman.
Reporters discovered that he did exist, although Mr. Biggs later admitted he had made up most of the quotes.
Mr. Biggs was remembered in particular for his incisive, sometimes self-deprecating writing style.
Suspicious readers accused Mr. Biggs of inventing the plumber.
However Mr Straw has now reversed his decision, citing medical evidence that Biggs's condition has deteriorated and he was not expected to recover.
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