He founded HiT Entertainment in 1989. Orton led the company from 1989 to 2005 when he sold it to Apax. After HiT was sold to Apax in 2005, he retired but kept close contacts with the entertainment world.
After being diagnosed with neck cancer in 1996 he served as chairman of the Head and Neck Cancer Research Trust.
Orton died of cancer in 2007 at the age of 64.
Peter Orton was honoured with a British Academy of Film and Television Arts Special Award, the lifetime achievement award, in 2002 for his significant contribution within the children"s television sector. Peter Orton was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (Commander of the Royal Victorian Order) in the 2007 New Year for his contribution to children"s literacy.
