Television Dancing Club

Image: A demonstration of the rumba by Bob Henderson and Eileen Henshall, World Ballroom Dancing Champions, in March 1949.

Television Dancing Club first took to the floor on 27 January 1948. It was presented by popular band leader Victor Silvester and his Ballroom Orchestra, and brought some much appreciated glamour into the homes of viewers struggling with post-war austerity. Its mixture of dance lessons, competitions and show-dances proved a great hit and it launched television's fascination with ballroom dancing that continues to this day.

Silvester was a veteran of radio dancing lessons from 1941, so it was natural for him to make the transition to television. He claimed to be able to teach "the magic way to ballroom dancing" by which viewers learned just one main step, which was danced in different variations.

Each week he was joined by a presenter such as Rosalie Ashley or Patti Morgan, who would overcome the shortcomings of black and white by describing the ladies ball gowns in detail. Viewers voted by postcard for the best dancing couple, posting them to Television Dancing Club, BBC, London W12.

In 1950 Come Dancing joined Television Dancing Club, and the two programmes ran on alternate weeks until 1964, when Television Dancing Club finished. Come Dancing's focus on regional competitions proved to be an enduring hit, and survives today in the BBC One hit Strictly Come Dancing.