Dorothy Squires was the second Wife of actor Sir Roger Moore and a big star when they met in 1952, Dot held one of her fabulous parties, and Roger carried upstairs to bed.
Below: Dot & Roger early in their relationship the posh and becks of their day!
The rest is history and a turbulent time was had by all really? yes really!. Dorothy was married to Billy Reid composer of;"The Gypsy" "This Is My Mother Day" "I'm walking Behind You" domestic bliss could not describe this marriage jealousy on Reid's part led to rows and he physically hit Dot"
Meeting Roger after leaving Billy was to be heaven, but sadly this marriage feel apart due to Roger's affairs both lived in Hollywood at the time Roger film making he met Luisa Mattioli and their affair was uncovered by letter sent to Roger. Whilst in America Elvis Presley took his mom to see Dot in Concert several nights in a row, his mother Gladys was a big fan and had her records imported in to America.
Below; A pop Art print By Chris Rogers, based on an original 1958 picture of Rog & Dot at Bexley 1958.
Dorothy's world feel apart but she would rise again just like a pheonix from the ashes, she had put her career on hold to make Roger a star and she did.
Above Billie Anthony, Dot and Vera Lynn 1961.
Feeling unwanted she followed her own path and built on her career recording 3 top 30 singles for President records "For Once In My Life", "Till" , and "My Way" Dot hired the London Palladium in 1970, and sold out with an hour. The powers that be tried to stop Dot but the public wanted her, and this was proved over and over again.
Sadly by the 70's she was spending vast amounts of money on legal matters suing for the slightest thing, she was made bankrupt in 1988, and had to leave her lovely home. she moved to and lived in Ackworth in a rented cottage by a fan, and vanished from public view. Dot moved from Ackworth to Wales a house which was rented from Esme Coles.
Dot at Carnegie Hall 1974.
One last concert in 1990 at the Brighton Dome and that was that. I began writing to Dot in 1992 and continued to her death in 1998. We spoke on the phone, I put Jean Fergusson in touch with Dot, who was writing "She Knows You Know" A biography of Hylda Baker also a play whereI met Jean at The Wolverhampton Grand, we remained friend till jean passed on in 2019.
Below:
a lovely reply I got from Dot in 1996.
Dot was a rock star before the word had been invented pills, booze, fights and the gutter press Mr Murdoch put pay to this true character.
I told Dot to tell her story on TV and she did the slate shortly before her death, from Cancer, Roger and Dot had been in contact in her later years, he paid for her BUPA treatment when she was ill and phoned her shortly before her death.
Some people are unique and like Piaf and Garland who were tragic, and had a big gay following we had Dorothy Squires,who was tougher no doubt but so loved. Shirley Bassey followed on from Dorothy for sure everyone has a mentor....
"Say It With Flowers" was her biggest hit self penned to the song was too if flowers were a sign of love you had a 2 mile garden all to yourself. The Bette Davis of song was how she was described on her passing. Johnny Tudors book "My Heart Is Bleeding" is a fascinating first hand account of her life a must read for sure.
God bless you Edna May Squires Dotty as they come!
Chris Rogers 2021.
