A Strictly Come Dancing legend, Laurence Holloway, has sadly passed away. The former musical director on both Strictly Come Dancing and the talk show Parkinson, died at the age of 86, his family confirmed. The English composer, who began his career as a pianist in dance bands, passed away after a “short illness” on Thursday 9 January, his daughter Abigail Holloway revealed to the PA news agency.
Throughout his illustrious career, the jazz musician collaborated with big names such as Engelbert Humperdinck, Sir Tom Jones, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr, Gilbert O’Sullivan, Mel Torme, Bob Monkhouse, Barry Humphries and Ronnie Corbett, as well as his late wife Marion Montgomery.
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American jazz singer Marion, who had lived in England for over three decades, became a household name in the 60s and 70s when she was a resident singer on Sir Michael Parkinson’s chat show, where Laurence Holloway later served as a musical director. She passed away in Bray, Berkshire, aged 67 in 2002.
Laurence held the position of musical director for the first three seasons of Strictly Come Dancing, which kicked off in 2004 but was not expected to be a success for the BBC. “Nobody thought it would take off, but people just loved it,” said writer Alison Maloney, who has produced all the BBC Strictly annuals since 2008. Despite instantly catching the public mood, there had been serious doubts over the show’s viability. “It was a huge risk,” BBC One’s controller at the time, Lorraine Heggessey, later admitted. “There were many people who thought I’d gone mad, putting ballroom dancing up at primetime on a Saturday night.”
In 2013, Laurence was honoured with an MBE for his services to music. During his investiture ceremony, he shared a charming anecdote about the time he played piano for the late Queen and Princess Margaret at Buckingham Palace, and recorded nursery rhymes for the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday. “I don’t think she remembered, but I reminded her,” he quipped, reports the Mirror.
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Laurence is also recognised for composing TV theme tunes, including those for Cilla Black’s game show Blind Date, Game For A Laugh and hidden camera programme Beadle’s About.
In 1993, he was honoured with a gold badge from the Ivors Academy, then known as the British Academy of Songwriters Composers and Authors (BASCA). He also had a hand in the recording of Petula Clark’s 1960s hit Downtown.
He leaves behind his daughters, Karon and Abigail, and three grandsons Freddie, Henry and Alfie. He and Marion resided together in Bray, Berkshire, until Marion’s death. Throughout his illustrious career, he produced 15 albums, including the record, Strictly Come Dancing – Bruce Forsyth and the Laurie Holloway Orchestra 2004, for Sony Records.
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