Charles Phillips: Dance judge (From Surrey Comet)

Charles Phillips: Dance judge

2:26pm Friday 1st February 2008 in

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An ex-rally driver famed for being a judge on the original Come Dancing series on the BBC has died at the age of 98.

Charles Phillips was born in Chessington on December 10, 1909, but moved to Coventry in the 1950s when he married his wife Winnie.

The former principal of Templars School of Dancing in Coventry, he was a judge on the popular BBC series Come Dancing during the late 1950s and early 60s.

But he was also a rally driver in his younger days, according to his nephew, former BBC radio presenter Alan Price-Roberts.

A dancer of the traditional style, he would dress in bow ties and tails and he loved to dance during his whole life.

He worked as a laboratory assistant at Warwick University and was also a member of the GEC Photographic Club and the Templars Photographic Society in Coventry.

He died on January 6 at University Hospital, Walsgrave, Coventry, leaving behind no children.

His funeral took place on January 30, at Cannon Hill Chapel, Canley Crematorium, Coventry.