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Tributes paid to Car Man dancer who died in collision before performance Tributes paid to Car Man dancer who died in collision before performance
(35 minutes later)
Tributes have been paid to dancer Jonathan Ollivier, who was killed in a motorbike collision on Sunday, with peers describing him as “an amazing artist”. Tributes have been paid to the dancer Jonathan Ollivier, who was killed in a motorbike collision on Sunday, with peers describing him as an amazing artist.
Ollivier, 38, who was starring in Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man at Sadler’s Wells in London, died just hours before he was due on stage when a black Mercedes saloon struck his motorbike on Farringdon Road. Ollivier, 38, who was starring in Matthew Bourne’s The Car Man at the Sadler’s Wells theatre in London, died hours before he was due on stage, when a black Mercedes saloon struck his motorbike on Farringdon Road.
The driver of the Mercedes was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed to a date in February next year.The driver of the Mercedes was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and has been bailed to a date in February next year.
Family members and the dance community paid tribute after Ollivier, who was married to South African ballerina Desiré Samaai, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision at around 11am on Sunday. Family members and the dance community paid tribute after Ollivier, who was married to the South African ballerina Desiré Samaai, was pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, at around 11am on Sunday.
His sister Rachel Ollivier wrote on Facebook: “To all my beautiful little bro friends, it is with a heavy heart that we have to tell you that Jon tragically died today. We love him and will miss him massively.”His sister Rachel Ollivier wrote on Facebook: “To all my beautiful little bro friends, it is with a heavy heart that we have to tell you that Jon tragically died today. We love him and will miss him massively.”
English dancer Bennet Gartside, a first soloist at the Royal Ballet, said: “So so sad to hear this today. What a loss. An old school friend and an amazing artist.” The English dancer Bennet Gartside, a first soloist at the Royal Ballet, said: “So so sad to hear this today. What a loss. An old school friend and an amazing artist.”
So so sad to hear this today. What a loss. An old school friend and an amazing artist. RIP Jon Ollivier x http://t.co/ovwyf32ypcSo so sad to hear this today. What a loss. An old school friend and an amazing artist. RIP Jon Ollivier x http://t.co/ovwyf32ypc
Dance writer and critic Graham Watts said: “Jonathan Ollivier was a stunning dancer as well as very nice guy – sending condolences to his wife, Desiré, and his family.” The dance writer and critic Graham Watts said: “Jonathan Ollivier was a stunning dancer as well as very nice guy – sending condolences to his wife, Desiré, and his family.”
Jonathan Ollivier (@Ollyjonny1) was a stunning dancer as well as very nice guy - sending condolences to his wife, Desiré, and his family...Jonathan Ollivier (@Ollyjonny1) was a stunning dancer as well as very nice guy - sending condolences to his wife, Desiré, and his family...
Strictly Come Dancing dancer Karen Clifton said: “Deepest condolences to the family and friends of one of the nicest and most talented dancers. Jonathan Ollivier.” The Strictly Come Dancing dancer Karen Clifton said: “Deepest condolences to the family and friends of one of the nicest and most talented dancers. Jonathan Ollivier.”
Deepest condolences to the family and friends of one of the nicest and most talented dancers. Jonathan Ollivier .RIP. #TheCarManDeepest condolences to the family and friends of one of the nicest and most talented dancers. Jonathan Ollivier .RIP. #TheCarMan
His fellow cast were said to be “shaken” after the accident and Sunday’s show, by the dance company New Adventures, was cancelled. Theatregoers were turned away and told by staff the production had been cancelled “due to a tragic accident”. His fellow cast members were said to be shaken after the accident and Sunday’s show, by the dance company New Adventures, was cancelled. Theatregoers were turned away and told by staff the production had been cancelled due to a tragic accident.
In an email to patrons, the theatre said: “On behalf of the company New Adventures, we regret to inform patrons that tonight’s performance of The Car Man at Sadler’s Wells has had to be cancelled due to a tragic accident earlier today.In an email to patrons, the theatre said: “On behalf of the company New Adventures, we regret to inform patrons that tonight’s performance of The Car Man at Sadler’s Wells has had to be cancelled due to a tragic accident earlier today.
“While due process is being followed we are unable to give further information however we offer our sincere condolences to those concerned. New Adventures and Sadler’s Wells are sorry for the inconvenience caused to patrons due to attend tonight’s performance.”“While due process is being followed we are unable to give further information however we offer our sincere condolences to those concerned. New Adventures and Sadler’s Wells are sorry for the inconvenience caused to patrons due to attend tonight’s performance.”
Ollivier, who was born in Northampton, had been playing the role of Luca in Bourne’s show. He studied dance at the Rambert Ballet School before joining the Cape Town City Ballet Company, the Northern Ballet Theatre and finally Bourne’s company New Adventures. Ollivier, who was born in Northampton, had been playing the role of Luca in Bourne’s show. He studied dance at the Rambert ballet school before joining the Cape Town City Ballet Company, the Northern Ballet theatre and finally Bourne’s company New Adventures.