about Richard and anne:
Richard started his journey in 1951 at the age of 8 with Old Time dancing in Slough – a small town outside of London. Only two years later he won the British Junior Championships in the Old Time Section and later in the Ballroom Section.
Richard became Amateur in 1960, and won the British Open Championships three times in 1968, 1969 and 1970, and the World Championships in 1969 and 1970.
He turned Professional in Blackpool in 1970 and went to win a total of 54 major Championships!
Richard retired from competing in 1981, and concentrated on teaching at the Kingston Dance Studio.
In response to the banning of couples from International events in 2010, Richard formed the Freedom to Dance Principle, that has been a source of great support for young dancers all over the World.
Anne took all her medals first as a follower and then as a leader and it was during a medalist competition that she was approached by a 10 year old young man and her first partnership was formed and her exciting dancing journey began.
It was her love of Latin American however, that made Anne search for a partner and pursue this as a career and in 1979 formed a partnership with James McKechan.
In 1984 Anne started dancing with John Wood and changed a career to dancing Ballroom. After many successful years Anne retired in 1994 at the Team Match in Blackpool.
Richard’s professional achievements include:
– 8 times British Open and World Championships
– European, United Kingdom and International Champion
– 3 times United Kingdom 10 Dance Champion
– British Team Captain
– Chairman of Judges at the British Open Dance Festival
– Awarded the O.B.E. for services to Ballroom Dancing from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales
Anne’s professional achievements include:
– 2 times British Open and World Professional Ballroom Champion
– 3 times European Professional Ballroom Champions
– Red Button Commentator for the BBC Strictly Come Dancing Series
– 2003 British team captain as part of the Open Ceremony of the British Team Match and danced in ‘duel’ with Peter Eggleton against Karen Hilton with Bill Irvine.
– 2011 co-presenter of the first Freedom to Dance Open to the World Competitions
Did you know?
Richard never stops learning and he enjoys chess, golf and languages.
Anne loves gardening in her spare from dancing time.
Their Daughter Claire is a professional singer.