He became principal character dancer and was considered one of the world's top balletic mimes.

In 1960, he created the role of Notary in Sir Frederick Ashton's La fille mal gardée for The Royal Ballet.

In the 1960s, he danced with Margot Fonteyn, Michael Somes, Rudolf Nureyev, Nadia Nerina, Beryl Grey, Moira Shearer and Alexander Grant, among others.

[1] On 19 May 2013, he died at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana, Illinois, US, following a long illness.

He was survived by his brother, Eddie Franklin of Montcharmont, France, his former wife, Joan Hunter (formerly Joan Franklin-White) of London, and his son, Michael Franklin-White, scene designer and scenic artist of Champaign.