Marcus Hilton MBE and Karen Hilton MBE

Karen Hilton MBE and Marcus Hilton MBE are a British dance couple, noted for competing in the disciplines of Ballroom and Latin American at both amateur and professional level. They have held a number of championship titles, including the World Professional Ballroom Championship, which they have won nine times representing Great Britain. They are patrons of the International Dance Teachers Association and both work as dance teachers, lecturers and competition judges. The Hiltons first competed together in amateur dance competitions in 1978, achieving Championship titles in the UK for Latin American dance. They also competed in international events, representing Great Britain. In 1980, they took part in the United Kingdom Open Championship, qualifying for the World Amateur Latin American Championships in West Germany. They represented England at the event, achieving 5th place. They later achieved Championship wins in the European and World Amateur 10 Dance Championships. The Hiltons became a professional dance couple in 1983, winning their first professional title at the British Rising Star Championship. The couple were married in 1986 and continued to dance professionally whilst giving demonstrations, teaching, lecturing and judging. In June 1997, both Karen and Marcus were awarded Membership of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. They competed professionally until their retirement in 1998, winning numerous Championship titles. Titles: 1981-1983 (Amateur) 1981 - World Amateur 10 Dance Champions 1982 - World Amateur 10 Dance Champions 1982 - World Amateur Latin Champions 1982 - British Open Amateur Latin Champions (Blackpool) 1983 - World Amateur Latin Champions 1983 - British Open Amateur Latin Champions (Blackpool) 1984 (Professional) British Rising Star Champions 1986 World Professional 10 Dance Champions European Professional 10 Dance Champions World Ballroom Championship - 3rd Place 1989 World Professional Ballroom Segue Champions BDF Award USA Open Championship - Winners 1990 World Ballroom Champions European Ballroom Champions British Ballroom Champions British Open Championship - Winners USA Open Championship - Winners Norway Open Championship - Winners World Cup - Winners 1991 World Ballroom Champions International Champions United Kingdom Champions USA Open - Winners 1992 World Champions International Champions United Kingdom Champions British Ballroom Champions USA Open - Winners BDF Award - Winners 1993 World Champions International Champions European Ballroom Champions United Kingdom Champions German Open - Winners USA Open - Winners World Trophy - Winners World Grand Prix - Winners World Classic Show Dance - Winners Carl Alan Award Winners BDF Award Winners 1994 World Champions International Champions European Ballroom Champions British Ballroom Champions United Kingdom Champions USA Open - Winners Japanese Open - Winners World Classic Show Dance - Winners Super World Cup - Winners Woman of the Year Rochdale - Karen 1995 World Champions International Champions British Ballroom Champions United Kingdom Champions European Ballroom Champions USA Open - winners Carl Alan Award BDF Award Winners Man of the Year Rochdale - Marcus 1996 World Champions International Champions British Ballroom Champions United Kingdom Champions European Ballroom Champions USA Open - winners Japanese Open - Winners BDF Award Winners 1997 World Champions International Champions British Ballroom Champions United Kingdom Champions German Open - Winners USA Open - Winners UK Open - Winners British Open - Winners US Open - Winners Both Awarded the MBE 1998 World Champions British Ballroom Champions United Kingdom Champions International Champions Carl Alan Award BDF Award Winners