1. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers are undoubtedly one of the most iconic ballroom dance couples in British dance history. The pair first met in 1933 when they were both working in Hollywood, and went on to make a total of nine films together.
Their most famous collaboration was the 1935 classic ‘Top Hat’, in which they performed the unforgettable ‘Cheek to Cheek’ dance sequence. This routine was so popular that it became a staple of British ballroom dance classes for many years, and is still remembered fondly today.
Astaire and Rogers were known for their graceful, effortless style of dancing, which was a perfect blend of jazz, tap and ballroom. They were also renowned for their impeccable timing and chemistry on the dance floor, which made them one of the most beloved dance couples of all time.
Legacy
The legacy of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers lives on today, and their influence can be seen in many of the ballroom dance classes taught in the UK. Their timeless routines are still taught to aspiring dancers, and their style of dancing is still seen as one of the most elegant and romantic forms of ballroom.
In addition to their influence on British ballroom dance, Astaire and Rogers are also remembered for their contribution to the world of film and entertainment. They were two of the most popular stars of their time, and their films are still watched and enjoyed by people of all ages today.
2. Anton du Beke and Erin Boag
Anton du Beke and Erin Boag
Anton du Beke and Erin Boag are one of the most iconic British ballroom dance couples in history. The duo first met in 1997 when they were both performing in the show “Burn the Floor”. They have been dancing together ever since, and are now considered one of the most successful and popular ballroom couples in the world.
Anton and Erin have won numerous awards and accolades over the years, including the British National Professional Latin Championships in 2000. They have also been featured in numerous television shows, including “Strictly Come Dancing” and “Dancing with the Stars”.
The pair have also been involved in a number of charity initiatives, including the “Erin Boag Dance for Life” campaign, which raises money for cancer research.
Dance Style
Anton and Erin are renowned for their dynamic and passionate dancing style. They specialize in Latin and Ballroom dances, and have become well-known for their unique choreography and intricate footwork.
The couple have also been credited with helping to popularize Latin American dances such as the Rumba and the Cha Cha Cha. They have also been instrumental in introducing new styles of dance to the British public, such as the Argentine Tango.
Legacy
Anton and Erin have left an indelible mark on the British ballroom dancing scene. They have inspired countless couples to take up the art of ballroom dancing, and their influence can still be felt today.
The duo have also been credited with helping to make ballroom dancing more accessible to the general public. Their work has helped to make the art form more popular, and has helped to bring it into the mainstream.
Anton and Erin will always be remembered as one of the most iconic and beloved British dance couples of all time.
3. Len Goodman and Cherry Kingston
3. Len Goodman and Cherry Kingston
Len Goodman and Cherry Kingston were a legendary British ballroom dancing couple, who achieved great success in the 1950s and 1960s. Len Goodman was a former British National Champion who went on to become a professional dancer and teacher, whilst Cherry Kingston was a former British Amateur Champion.
The pair were a formidable force on the ballroom dancing scene, winning a number of titles including the British National Professional Ballroom Championship in 1959 and the British National Professional Latin Championship in 1962. They also achieved success in the international arena, winning the World Professional Latin Championship in 1961.
Len and Cherry were known for their unique and innovative style of dancing, which combined classic ballroom steps with modern twists. Their style of dancing was highly influential and has been used by many other couples in the years since.
Legacy
Len and Cherry’s legacy lives on in the ballroom dancing world, with their style of dancing still being highly regarded and admired. They are remembered as one of the most iconic ballroom dance couples in British dance history and continue to inspire dancers today.
4. Wayne Sleep and Gillian Gregory
Wayne Sleep and Gillian Gregory
Wayne Sleep and Gillian Gregory are considered one of the most iconic British ballroom dance couples in history. The couple first met in 1968, when Sleep joined the Royal Ballet School and Gregory was a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet.
The pair quickly became a dynamic duo, and they were soon performing together in a number of ballets, including the classic ‘The Sleeping Beauty’. They also starred in a number of television specials, including the iconic ‘The Royal Ballet Gala Performance’ in 1969.
The duo became a sensation in the ballroom world, and they were crowned the British National Ballroom Champions in 1970. They also represented Britain in the World Professional Ballroom Championships, and were the first British couple to win the prestigious title.
Sleep and Gregory continued to perform together until their retirement in the late 1970s. They remain an iconic and beloved couple in British ballroom history, and are remembered for their skill, grace, and passion.
Legacy
Sleep and Gregory’s legacy continues to this day. They have inspired generations of dancers, and their influence can still be seen in the ballroom world. They have also been the subject of numerous books and documentaries, and their story has been immortalised in the popular film ‘The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel’.
Their partnership was one of the most successful and enduring in British ballroom history, and they will continue to be remembered as one of the most iconic couples in the world of dance.
5. Brendan Cole and Camilla Dallerup
Brendan Cole and Camilla Dallerup
Brendan Cole and Camilla Dallerup are two of the most iconic ballroom dance couples in British dance history. They first met in 2001 when they were both competing in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, and they quickly became a fan favorite.
They achieved great success in the competition, winning the show in 2004 and going on to become two of the most popular professional dancers on the show. They continued to dance together until 2008, and their partnership is still remembered fondly by fans.
Cole and Dallerup have also had a successful career outside of Strictly Come Dancing. They have performed in the West End and on Broadway, as well as appearing in many television shows and films. They have also released an album of ballroom music.
Legacy
Cole and Dallerup have left an indelible mark on the British ballroom dance scene. Their partnership was the first to show the world that ballroom dancing could be both beautiful and exciting. They have inspired countless couples to take up the art and have helped to bring ballroom dancing into the mainstream.
Their legacy lives on in the work of their successors, who continue to push the boundaries of ballroom dance. Cole and Dallerup will always be remembered as two of the most influential and beloved professional dancers in British dance history.
6. Michael Flatley and Beata Dziaba
6. Michael Flatley and Beata Dziaba
Michael Flatley and Beata Dziaba are two of the most iconic British ballroom dance couples in history. Flatley is a world-renowned Irish-American dancer and choreographer, while Dziaba is a Polish-born dancer and choreographer.
The pair first met in the early 1990s and quickly became a popular ballroom dance couple. They were known for their electrifying performances and captivating choreography, which captivated audiences across the world.
Flatley and Dziaba performed together in several high-profile events, including the 1995 World Ballroom Championships in London and the 1997 Eurovision Song Contest in Dublin. They were also featured in the 1997 film Evita, starring Madonna.
Flatley and Dziaba have since retired from competitive ballroom dancing, but their legacy lives on. They are remembered for their passion and artistry, which inspired countless other dancers and choreographers.
7. John Ogdon and Moira Shearer
John Ogdon and Moira Shearer
John Ogdon and Moira Shearer were two of the most iconic British ballroom dancers of the 20th century. Ogdon was a renowned dance teacher and choreographer, while Shearer was an accomplished ballroom dancer and actress.
The pair first met in London in 1938, and quickly became a popular act in the ballroom scene. Performing together for over 20 years, Ogdon and Shearer were known for their graceful style and impeccable technique.
Their most famous performance was in the 1949 film The Red Shoes, which featured Shearer in the lead role as a ballerina. The film was a huge success, and Ogdon and Shearer’s dancing was a major part of the film’s success.
The couple also toured extensively, performing in cities across Britain and Europe. They were so popular that they even performed for the Royal Family at the Royal Albert Hall in 1954.
Legacy
John Ogdon and Moira Shearer’s legacy has been long-lasting. They are remembered as two of the most influential figures in British ballroom dancing, inspiring countless dancers and choreographers. Their style is still admired today, and their influence can be seen in many of today’s ballroom dances.
8. Arlene Phillips and Paul Killick
Arlene Phillips and Paul Killick
Arlene Phillips and Paul Killick are one of the most iconic ballroom couples in British dance history. Arlene Phillips is a renowned choreographer, dancer, and judge, and Paul Killick is a professional dancer and choreographer. They first met in the early 1970s and have been dancing together ever since.
Arlene and Paul’s partnership has been described as a “dynamic duo”, and their style has been described as “elegant, dynamic and passionate”. They have won numerous titles, including the British National Professional Latin Champions in 1976 and the British National Professional Latin Champions in 1978.
Arlene and Paul have also had a huge influence on the ballroom dancing scene in the UK. They have been credited with helping to popularize Latin American and Ballroom dancing in the UK, and have been instrumental in the development of the Ballroom and Latin Dance Association (BLDA).
The couple has also been involved in numerous television and film projects, including the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, where Arlene was a judge for eight years. They have also been involved in the production of the musicals ‘Burn the Floor’ and ‘Dancing with the Stars’.
Legacy
Arlene and Paul’s legacy as one of the most iconic ballroom couples in British dance history is undeniable. Their influence on the ballroom dancing scene in the UK has been immense, and their passion and enthusiasm for the art of dance is still felt today.
9. Peter Eggleton and Karen Hardy
9. Peter Eggleton and Karen Hardy
Peter Eggleton and Karen Hardy are two of the most iconic ballroom dance couples in British dance history. Eggleton and Hardy won the British Open Ballroom Championship three times, and the World Professional Latin Championship twice.
The pair were known for their passionate and dynamic style of dancing, which was often referred to as ‘the Eggleton and Hardy Magic’. They were also known for their intricate footwork and intricate lifts.
Eggleton and Hardy first met in the summer of 1997, when they were both competing in the British Open Ballroom Championship. They instantly clicked and began to train together. They quickly rose to fame in the competitive ballroom circuit, and soon became one of the most sought-after dance couples in the world.
Eggleton and Hardy retired from competitive ballroom in 2007, but they continue to perform and teach together. Their style of dancing has been hugely influential in the British ballroom scene and they are remembered fondly by dancers and fans alike.
10. Karen Hardy and Darren Bennett
Karen Hardy and Darren Bennett
Karen Hardy and Darren Bennett are two of the most iconic ballroom dance couples in British dance history. They first met in 1997 when they were both competing in the British Open Amateur Ballroom Championships and have been dancing together ever since.
Karen and Darren have won multiple awards, including the British Open Professional Ballroom Championship seven times, the International Professional Latin Championship four times and the International Professional Ballroom Championship five times. Their success has seen them become the most successful British couple in the history of the sport.
Karen and Darren have also appeared on the BBC show ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ as professional dancers and choreographers. They have also been involved in various other TV shows, such as ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and ‘Dancing on Ice’.
Karen and Darren are also heavily involved in charity work, including the ‘Dance for Life’ charity, which helps to raise money for cancer research.
Conclusion
Karen Hardy and Darren Bennett are undoubtedly two of the most iconic ballroom dance couples in British dance history. Their success in the competitive ballroom world, along with their involvement in various TV shows and charity work, has cemented their place as two of the most respected and celebrated dancers in the country.
