Dougie Squires

Oti Mabuse's Dancing Legends

Oti Mabuse reflects on the dancers and choreographers who have transformed the dancing landscape.

In today’s episode, Patti Boulaye OBE sits down with Oti to reflect on her 50 year career and pay homage to a legendary figure from the world of dance. Patti shot to fame on the TV talent show New Faces and her stage credits include the musicals Carmen Jones and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Patti has worked with a variety of choreographers - but she says the one who has inspired her the most is Dougie Squires OBE.

Dougie Squires formed and choreographed the singing and dancing group The Young Generation, which performed on some of the biggest TV shows of the 1960s and 70s. Dougie’s own career spans seven decades and he is still working with dancers today.

Patti and Oti explore the wok of this acclaimed choreographer with archive clips and the expert help of dancer and presenter, Rosemarie Ford.

And then Oti heads to the dance studio to learn a dance routine inspired by Dougie Squires. She’s joined by Antony Johns who has worked with Dougie for over forty years. Antony tries to mould Oti into becoming an honorary Generation Dancer.

Presenter: Oti Mabuse Producer: Candace Wilson Editor: Chris Ledgard A BBC Audio Bristol production for BBC Radio 4