His father was a miner, as was his grandfather, and Bill served in the Royal Navy before starting his dance career.

As a young dance teacher he spent a period in South Africa, which led to his meeting Bobbie.

Their principal ballroom teachers were Eric Hancox, Len Scrivener and Sonny Binnick.

They were coached in the Latin dances by Nina Hunt, who became a great friend of the couple.

[3]They were honoured for their achievements during their careers by appointment as MBE in 1967, the first such award made for Ballroom dancing.