Diane Towler


Diane Towler MBE married Green, is an English former ice dancer and currently a figure skating coach. She is a four-time World and European champion with skating partner Bernard Ford.

Personal life

Diane Towler-Green was born 16 December 1946 in Kensington, London. She is the mother of ice dancers Candice Towler-Green and Phillipa Towler-Green, and the aunt of Mark Bosley.

Career

Towler was partnered with Bernard Ford by the duo's coach, Gladys Hogg. The two debuted at the World Championships in 1964, finishing 13th. In 1965, they finished just off the podium in 4th. Towler/Ford won gold at the 1966 European Championships and went on to win their first World title. They would win the World and European titles for four consecutive seasons.
At the 1968 Winter Olympics, Towler/Ford skated in a demonstration event for ice dancing, winning the gold medal. Ice dancing became an official part of the Winter Olympics in 1976.
Towler/Ford are MBE recipients and were inducted into the World Figure skating Hall of Fame in Colorado Springs in 1993. Their best-known program was skated to Zorba the Greek. After retiring from amateur competition, they performed in ice shows until Ford moved to Canada.
Towler became a figure skating coach. Her ice dancing students include:
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World Championships13th4th1st1st1st1st
European Championships4th1st1st1st1st
British Nationals3rd1st1st1st1st