A STRICTLY Come Dancing legend who worked on Parkinson’s and performed for the late Queen has died aged 86 after a short illness.
Laurence Holloway has worked as a former musical director on Strictly Come Dancing and talk show Parkinson during his iconic career.
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Laurence Holloway (right), former musical director of Strictly Come Dancing, dies aged 86 Credit: PA
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Laurence was previously a resident singer on Michael Parkinson’s chat show Credit: PA
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He was also a prominent pianist, once accompanying Queen Elizabeth II. and Princess Margaret at the piano for a recording of Scottish songs from her childhoodCredit: Getty
The English composer, who started out as a pianist in dance bands, died after a “short illness” on Thursday, his daughter Abigail Holloway told the PA news agency.
During his career, the jazz musician collaborated with singer Engelbert Humperdinck, Sir Tom Jones, Judy Garland, Liza Minnelli, Sammy Davis Jr., Gilbert O’Sullivan, Mel Torme, Bob Monkhouse, Barry Humphries and Ronnie Corbett and his late wife Marion Montgomery.
American jazz singer Montgomery, who lived in England for more than 30 years, became a household name in the 1960s and 1970s when she was a regular singer on Sir Michael Parkinson’s chat show, where Holloway was later musical director.
Montgomery died in Bray, Berkshire, aged 67 in 2002.
Holloway was the musical director for the first three seasons of Strictly Come Dancing, which began in 2004.
In 2013, Holloway was made an MBE for services to music.
At his investiture ceremony, he told the late Queen about the time he played the piano for her and Princess Margaret at Buckingham Palace and recorded songs for the Queen Mother’s 90th birthday.
“I don’t think she remembered, but I reminded her,” he said.
Holloway is also known for composing TV theme tunes, including the Cilla Black show Blind Date, Game For A Laugh and the hidden camera program Beadle’s About.
He was awarded the Ivors Academy Gold Badge in 1993, when the body was known as the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers and Authors (BASCA).
The composer also contributed to Petula Clark’s 1960s hit Downtown.
Holloway is survived by daughters Karon and Abigail and three grandsons Freddie, Henry and Alfie.
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Laurence photographed in 2014. Credit: Rex
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