Bill and Bobbie Irvine
Encyclopedia
Bill and Bobbie Irvine (27 July 1932 – 30 May 2004) were British
professional ballroom dancers. Bobbie Irvine was born Bobbie Barwell in Oudtshoorn, South Africa
, while Bill Irvine, born William, was from Low Craigends in Kilsyth
. His father was a miner, as was his grandfather, and Bill served in the Royal Navy
before starting his dance career. As a young dance teacher he spent a period in South Africa, which led to his meeting Bobbie. They were married in 1957. The pair became South African champions, and later settled in London.
The Irvines won 13 world titles between 1960 and 1968 in the Professional Latin and Professional Modern categories of ballroom dancing. Their principal ballroom teachers were Eric Hancox, Len Scrivener and Sonny Binnick. They were coached in the Latin dances by Nina Hunt
, who became a great friend of the couple.
They were honoured for their achievements during their careers by appointment as MBE in 1967, the first such award made for Latin dancing.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
professional ballroom dancers. Bobbie Irvine was born Bobbie Barwell in Oudtshoorn, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, while Bill Irvine, born William, was from Low Craigends in Kilsyth
Kilsyth
Kilsyth is a town of 10,100 roughly halfway between Glasgow and Stirling in North Lanarkshire, Scotland.-Location:...
. His father was a miner, as was his grandfather, and Bill served in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
before starting his dance career. As a young dance teacher he spent a period in South Africa, which led to his meeting Bobbie. They were married in 1957. The pair became South African champions, and later settled in London.
The Irvines won 13 world titles between 1960 and 1968 in the Professional Latin and Professional Modern categories of ballroom dancing. Their principal ballroom teachers were Eric Hancox, Len Scrivener and Sonny Binnick. They were coached in the Latin dances by Nina Hunt
Nina Hunt
Nina Hunt was an English Latin American dance coach and choreographer. She had a high reputation for coaching competitive Latin dancers.-Biography:...
, who became a great friend of the couple.
They were honoured for their achievements during their careers by appointment as MBE in 1967, the first such award made for Latin dancing.
Competition record
The Irvines' main competitive titles were:- 1960: World 9 Dance, World Ballroom
- 1961: World Latin
- 1962: World 9 Dance; International, British and World Ballroom
- 1963: World, British Star and International Ballroom; World 9 Dance
- 1964: World, British and Star Ballroom
- 1965: World and Star Latin
- 1966: World, British and Star Ballroom
- 1967: World and Star Ballroom
- 1968: Star Ballroom; World Ballroom; World Latin