Strictly Come Dancing stardom for Coventry couple - The Coventry Observer

Strictly Come Dancing stardom for Coventry couple

Coventry Editorial 6th Nov, 2015 Updated: 28th Oct, 2016   0

ONE of Coventry’s oldest couples who put their long-lasting love down to dancing have waltzed their way onto prime time television.

Baginton couple Ron and Gladys Tearne have appeared on Strictly Come Dancing’s BBC Two sister show, Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two to tell their love story.

The episode, which was themed around Remembrance Day and aired this evening (Friday, November 6), featured an exclusive visit from Strictly star Natalie Lowe, as well as an interview and footage of their dance class at Coventry Sports Centre.

Ron, aged 91, and 92-year old Gladys, married in the city in 1944.




But celebrations were short lived as the day after the ceremony Ron, who was serving as an air gunner in the RAF at the time, was called back to camp at St David’s in Wales.

Finally reunited after the war, the couple have been foxtrotting, quickstepping and waltzing ever since – dancing regularly at an over 60s dance class at Coventry Sports Centre in Fairfax Street.


Admitting she is usually a shy lady, Gladys said she couldn’t say know when her and Ron were asked to appear on the hit BBC programme.

She said: “We both watch the show from time to time so I was very excited to see us both on one of our favourite programmes.”

Husband, Ron, said it was nice to have people want to hear his and Glady’s story.

He added: “The whole day was very exciting – our whole living room was moved around for filming.

“We enjoy watching the show because we can understand the dance moves as we’ve been dancing ourselves for so long.

“Some of the quick steps you see on it are fantastic.”

The couple’s appearance is also said to have brought excitement to their over 60s dance classes.

Coventry Sports Centre centre manager, Richard Parker, said Ron and Gladys brought a smile to staff’s faces when.

He added: “They have been dancing at the centre for almost seven years now and have made a lot of close friends here, so everyone was thrilled to hear the news that they were going to become TV stars.

“The over 60s dance class is one of the most valued classes here at the centre and we look forward to welcoming many more dancers for years to come.”

As for Gladys and Ron’s favourite dance?

Ron answered: “Our speciality used to be the quick step too, but it’s a bit too fast for us now so we tend to prefer the waltz.”

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