Anthony Goodyear was born in Birmingham on 25th February 1932 and at the age of 13 moved with his family to Weston Super-Mare. His mother and father ran a small hotel called 'Kirkella' (where Tony worked for part of the year) and at that time they had no idea that their youngest child was to have a huge influence on the development of Latin American dancing.

His interest in the local theatre led him to take Tap dancing lessons and in a social situation he noticed on a friend's lapel a bronze badge that happened to be for Ballroom dancing. That chance discovery changed the course of Tony's life and started him on a road of dedication and love for our great art.

He joined the Schofields School of Dancing and soon became their number one pupil. He met and married his first wife Valerie and danced with her as an Amateur and Professional and in 1960 they moved to Bath and opened The Goodyear School of Dancing. With his second wife Paula he again competed professionally and they became the British 10 Dance Champions. Although they traveled the world through dancing it was the school, by then renamed the Bath Dancecentre, which was his abiding love.

Peggy Spencer MBE remembers watching Tony's career from a very young age and judged him many times. She recalls that he was always innovative and a non-conformist in many ways. In hindsight when one looks at the way Latin American has developed today it is clear he was simply ahead of his time.

He was always full of new ideas for dance patterns and developed these ideas with great flair and enthusiasm. He was a fellow of the ISTD and appointed an examiner in 1972. He was also a long serving member of the Latin American committee where he played a key role in the development of new ideas. Always totally committed he would often run dance workshops at his own studio in Bath bringing in many experienced professionals to teach and benefit his staff and pupils. As a teacher he always was very tough and with great drive and determination he produced some great champions. He became a judge himself and fulfilled another ambition by several times judging the British Championships.

Tony had a long and successful career and will be remembered for his great enthusiasm and willingness to explore, always pushing the development of Latin American forward. Sadly he died in April 2005 following a long illness.

He is greatly missed.

Lorraine Kuznik