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| ‘True visionary’ theatre school founder Sylvia Young dies aged 86 | |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Founded in London in 1972, the Sylvia Young theatre school helped shape careers of singers and actors from Amy Winehouse to Billie Piper and Nicholas Hoult | Founded in London in 1972, the Sylvia Young theatre school helped shape careers of singers and actors from Amy Winehouse to Billie Piper and Nicholas Hoult |
| Sylvia Young – the founder of a theatre school that taught the likes of the singer Amy Winehouse, the EastEnders actor Adam Woodyatt and the James Bond star Lashana Lynch – has been hailed as a “true visionary” after she died aged 86. | |
| Her daughters Alison and Frances Ruffelle said it was with great sadness that they confirmed the death of their mother, who “passed away peacefully” on Wednesday. | |
| Their statement, posted on the Sylvia Young Agency Instagram account, said: “Our mum was a true visionary, she gave young people from all walks of life the chance to pursue their performing arts skills to the highest standard. | |
| “Her rare ability to recognise raw talent and encourage all her students contributed to the richness of today’s theatre and music world, even winning herself an Olivier award along the way. | “Her rare ability to recognise raw talent and encourage all her students contributed to the richness of today’s theatre and music world, even winning herself an Olivier award along the way. |
| “She believed hard work with a bit of luck brought success, and she was an example of that herself. She leaves as her legacy a wealth of brilliant performers, a thriving school bearing her name, and a priceless place in the nation’s heart.” | “She believed hard work with a bit of luck brought success, and she was an example of that herself. She leaves as her legacy a wealth of brilliant performers, a thriving school bearing her name, and a priceless place in the nation’s heart.” |
| The Sylvia Young theatre school, which was established in 1972 offering full-time and part-time courses, produced a wide range of stars from singers such as Dua Lipa and Rita Ora, to actors such as Billie Piper and Nicholas Hoult. | The Sylvia Young theatre school, which was established in 1972 offering full-time and part-time courses, produced a wide range of stars from singers such as Dua Lipa and Rita Ora, to actors such as Billie Piper and Nicholas Hoult. |
| Young’s daughters added: “Above all she leaves the memory of an East End girl who worked hard to achieve her goals, took hold of life, and lived it to the full. | Young’s daughters added: “Above all she leaves the memory of an East End girl who worked hard to achieve her goals, took hold of life, and lived it to the full. |
| “Her family were everything to her, her wonderful husband, our dad, Norman, and her grandchildren Eliza, Nat, Felix and Coral, plus her great-grandson, Rex. | “Her family were everything to her, her wonderful husband, our dad, Norman, and her grandchildren Eliza, Nat, Felix and Coral, plus her great-grandson, Rex. |
| “We share her love with her wide and inclusive family, her friends, her students. You all meant the world to her. | “We share her love with her wide and inclusive family, her friends, her students. You all meant the world to her. |
| “We will miss her so very much.” | |
| The McFly star Tom Fletcher met his wife, the podcaster and presenter Giovanna Fletcher, at the school, which they attended from the age of 13. Young was at their wedding. | |
| In a tribute, Giovanna Fletcher posted on Instagram: “My life would not be what it is without Sylvia Young. I remember watching Sylvia on Live and Kicking when I was 12 years old, she was talking about her school and all the fun they had there. | |
| “I phoned up for a brochure and applied for a scholarship without telling my mum and dad. I didn’t get the scholarship, but I got a place with a ‘deal’ attached because Sylvia wanted me there – something I quickly learned the majority of the 140 students had.” | “I phoned up for a brochure and applied for a scholarship without telling my mum and dad. I didn’t get the scholarship, but I got a place with a ‘deal’ attached because Sylvia wanted me there – something I quickly learned the majority of the 140 students had.” |
| She continued: “I loved sitting in Sylvia’s office and watching her work. She was meticulous, she knew what every child was up to and how to get the best out of everyone, she was devoted to helping her kids and I know how much she cared for each of us. Sometimes she cared when others didn’t – helping some incredible talent flourish in the process.” | She continued: “I loved sitting in Sylvia’s office and watching her work. She was meticulous, she knew what every child was up to and how to get the best out of everyone, she was devoted to helping her kids and I know how much she cared for each of us. Sometimes she cared when others didn’t – helping some incredible talent flourish in the process.” |
| In a comment on Young’s daughters’ social media post, the actor Bonnie Langford added: “Such sad news, Sylvia was such an inspiring, kind and generous person. | |
| “She made a difference to so many and will be missed by so many, love to all the family and all those who she made feel were her family. Heartfelt condolences to you Frances and Alison and to Stephen and all the team.” | “She made a difference to so many and will be missed by so many, love to all the family and all those who she made feel were her family. Heartfelt condolences to you Frances and Alison and to Stephen and all the team.” |
| The radio presenter Tony Blackburn, who was a friend of Young, also paid tribute in a post on X. | |
| He said: “So sorry to hear Sylvia Young has passed away, she founded the Sylvia Young theatre school which has been responsible for starting so many careers in TV and theatre. | He said: “So sorry to hear Sylvia Young has passed away, she founded the Sylvia Young theatre school which has been responsible for starting so many careers in TV and theatre. |
| “She was a very lovely lady who I have had the privilege of knowing for many years. She will be sadly missed.” | “She was a very lovely lady who I have had the privilege of knowing for many years. She will be sadly missed.” |
| Young was the subject of an episode of This Is Your Life in 1998, and received an OBE in 2005 for her service to the arts. | |
| She married Norman Ruffelle in London in 1961, and is the grandmother of the singer Eliza Doolittle. |