Bill Irvine successfully passed his first Associate exam on 12th December 1948 in Glasgow and was examined by Malcolm Stewart (a formidable examiner). Following a move to South Africa, Charles Thiebault examined Bill Irvine for his Fellowship in December 1952. A return to England in 1959 to study competitive dancing at a higher level was only intended to last three months.

However, Alex Moore, at that time Chairman of the Ballroom Branch, asked Bill Irvine to stay longer in order to dance in Berlin at the 1960 World Championships.

Bill Irvine and his wife, Bobbie, won the competition, and have remained in England ever since. Between 1960 and 1968, Bill and Bobbie Irvine won 13 world titles. The 1968 World Championships were held at the Albert Hall in London. On the same day the Irvine's won both the Ballroom and Latin American world titles. This has been registered in the Guinness Book of Records ever since.

After being appointed a dual examiner, Mr Irvine was nominated for the Ballroom Branch Committee (now the Modern Ballroom Faculty Committee). In 1976, on the retirement of Alex Moore as Chairman of the Branch, Bill Irvine was voted the successor to the position. He held this post until 1992. He was also Chairman of the Ballroom Faculties Board (which is now the Imperial Dance & Dance Sport Faculties Board) for the same length of time.

In 1967, both Bill and Bobbie Irvine were awarded the MBE for services to dancing. This was the first time Ballroom Dance had been so recognised. Bill received the Imperial Award in 1986. On the death of Diana Barker, he was honoured by being made Vice-President of the ISTD.