Dougie Squires OBE, MVO

A dancer, choreographer and creative director, who became one of the shining lights in dance performances for television from the 1960s onwards. After a successful career as a dancer himself, Dougie Squires went on to direct and choreograph performances for both stage and television, notably forming the troupes The Young Generation and The Second Generation for the BBC. By featuring dancers with talent, no matter their shape, height or ethnicity, he was a trailblazer in the form, with his choreography for television, which included the troupe’s own series The Young Generation (1970), specifically created to make the best use of the camera. Over the years, he directed and choreographed many televised dance performances, including for the Horse of the Year Show; VE and VJ Celebrations; the Rugby League Centenary World Cup; Royal Command Performances; and HM the Queen’s 40th Anniversary and Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. He was appointed OBE in 2009 and Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) in 2017.