A lifelong Erith resident, who once kissed Kylie Minogue, danced his way into the records book and credited cabbage for keeping him young, has died at the age of 105.
Bexley Road resident Fred Salter passed away at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Woolwich, on May 8 – just six years after he first set a record for being the oldest competitive ballroom dancer.
Mr Salter, who had more than 30 great-grandchildren, went on to win a Pride of Britain award and danced on stage with Bruce Forsyth, just four weeks after suffering a serious stroke.
The next year, he broke his own record at the age of 100.
Mr Salter (inset) was once kissed by sex symbol Kylie Minogue
Mr Salter fought in the Second World War, had the rank of corporal and was the oldest surviving member of the Scots Guard.
His friend Derek Whale told News Shopper: “He was an inspiration. I met Fred at dancing and became fascinated by him.
“I never danced as good as him, even though I was about 30 years younger.
Mr Whale with Mr Salter
“He made me laugh. I said: ‘What do you put this down to, being like this?’ He said cabbage.”
Mr Salter worked as a security guard at his wife of 62 year’s pharmaceutical company in Bexley village, until the age of 84.
He danced in Eltham, was a patron of Charlton Athletic, and did research work with Greenwich University.
As Brucie would say: "Keeeeeep dancing!"
Mr Whale added: “When he was going down the pan after his wife’s death, one of his grandchildren said to him: ‘Come on grandad. Come dancing.’
“He had a stroke at 99 and he overcame that and went back to dancing.
“He was quite phenomenal. Because he was an old military man, he was quite a stickler for keeping himself immaculately turned out.
Mr Salter with some of his many dancing awards
“He always lived in the Erith area. He got evacuated to Devon in the First World War, but came back when he was about 15.
“He was very active right until the end, when he had a fall.
“He must have been one of the oldest guys in England. Not women because they always outlive us.”
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