Laurie Holloway, ex-Strictly Come Dancing musical director, dies aged 86

Laurie Holloway, the former musical director of BBC entertainment shows such as Parkinson and Strictly Come Dancing, has died aged 86.

The pianist and composer was well known to a generation of TV viewers, and also worked with singers such as Petula Clark, Tom Jones and Englebert Humperdinck.

Holloway, described by his family as a “a much-loved and wonderful person”, died “after a short illness”, Mike Parkinson, the son of Sir Michael Parkinson, confirmed to BBC News.

Holloway composed TV theme tunes for programmes including Blind Date, Beadle’s About, Game for a Laugh, Wicked Women and Maggie and Her.

Born in Oldham in 1938, Holloway began learning piano at a young age and became…