Pan’s People reunite in US to mourn their founder

Colby, the dancer and choreographer credited as the driving force behind the group, died of bronchial pneumonia last month at the age of 65. Cherry Gillespie, Ruth Pearson, Dee Dee Wilde, Babs Powell and Louise Clarke were set to pay their respects at the ceremony at Colby’s home in Clinton, New York State.

Speaking before the reunion, Ms Wilde said it would be a bittersweet occasion. “It will be wonderful for us and very poignant because the last time we were there was for Flick’s 60th birthday,” she said.

“But it will be lovely because Flick will be looking down on us and I think she’ll be tickled pink that we’ll all be there.”

The dance troupe, formed in 1966, provided visual entertainment when an artist could not appear on the BBC chart show and became a staple of 1960s and 1970s TOTP. They last appeared on the programme in April 1976, dancing to Silver Star by The Four Seasons.