Laurie Holloway, a celebrated pianist, composer, and former musical director of BBC entertainment shows such as Parkinson and Strictly Come Dancing, has passed away at the age of 86. The musician, who also worked with legendary singers like Petula Clark, Tom Jones, and Englebert Humperdinck, was a familiar face to television audiences of a certain generation. Holloway’s family issued a statement saying that he was a “much-loved and wonderful person” and passed away “after a short illness.” Mike Parkinson, Sir Michael Parkinson’s son, confirmed the news to BBC News.
Holloway was born in Oldham in 1938 and started playing the piano at a young age, becoming an organist and choirboy for his local church at the age of 12. He went on to play at ballroom dances and toured on cruise ships. He also worked as a studio session musician and played with the Cyril Stapleton Band. Moreover, his credits included Clark’s hit Downtown, released in 1964. He worked with Humperdinck in the early 1970s, playing on his albums and joining him on a US tour. Holloway also worked with Cleo Laine, Judy Garland, Sammy Davis Jr., violinist Stephane Grappelli, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, and the John Dankworth Band before focusing primarily on television shows.
He composed TV theme tunes for popular programs such as Blind Date, Beadle’s About, Game for a Laugh, Wicked Women, and Maggie and Her. Holloway’s family called him “an inspiration” and praised his “illustrious musical career.” His late wife, the singer Marion Montgomery, and he created The Montgomery Holloway Music Trust, an organization that supports young singers, for which he was awarded an MBE by Queen Elizabeth II.
Holloway started working alongside chat show host Sir Michael Parkinson in 1998 and stayed with the show for the following decade, including after its move to ITV in 2004. In 2004, Holloway acted as the musical director for the first series of Strictly Come Dancing, providing several musical arrangements every week and continuing to work on the show for the following two series. He set the tone for the live music on the hugely popular dancing competition which has remained on air for two decades. In 2013, he was made an MBE for services to music. Holloway wrote a touching tribute to Sir Michael for UK Jazz News following his death in 2023. The two men resided close to one another in Bray, Berkshire, and were close friends
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