Sylvia Young, the founder of the London Theater School, who launched countless entertainment career, died at the age of 86.
Amy Winehouse, Rita Ora, Billy Piper, Dupa Lipa and Tom Fletcher of McPhli are among the stars who trained in school in their career before going to mainstream success.
In a statement, Young’s daughters Ellison and Frances announced “with great sadness” that his mother died “peacefully” on Wednesday morning.
“Our mother was a true visionary,” he said. “He gave the youth from all areas of life a chance to pursue their performance art skills to the highest standard.”
The statement continued: “Her rare ability to identify raw talent and encourage all her students contributed to the prosperity of today’s theater and music world.
“She believed in hard work with a little luck, and she was an example of herself.”
Young established her name school in 1972 with part -time classes at the eastern end of London.
The school was expanded to a large location in the marylabone, before going to its current house in a converted church near the marble arch.
Young was made an OBE in 2005, and in 2022 he received a special Olivier Award for “giving countless students the opportunity to study the performance art”.
Other famous attendees included Emma Botan, Dennis Van Outan, Leona Lewis, Daniel Kaluya, Lonne Williams, Kelly Hayes, Jemma Colins, Lily Cole and Leshana Lynch.
Busted’s Matt Willis, Little Mix Stars Jessie Nelson and Leh-Oni Pincocke, and All Sants singers Melani Blatt and Nicole and Natalie Appleton are also among the school alumni.
Van Outan credited Young for his career, recalling in an interview how he advised him: “Don’t focus on one thing, try and do it all and you will always work.”
Pay tribute, DJ Tony Blackburn said He was “sorry” to hear about Young’s death, adding his school to “TV and theater responsible for starting so many career”.
Blackburn said, “She was a very cute woman who has got the privilege of knowing for many years.” “She will be sadly missed.”
Commenting on the post, announcing Young’s death, actress Saddy Frost said: “What a woman, what family, what inheritance!
“Sending so much love and support to everyone. She was always very cute to me and will cherish memories forever.”
Writer and actress Giohonna Fletcher remarked: “My life is not what is without Sylvia’s input, and I am not the only one. An incredible woman with an inspirational heritage.”
Natalie Appleton said: “It is really going to impress all of us who were lucky enough to be a part of their amazing world. What time, the best memories!”
TV and radio presenter Kate Thornton said that young “meant so many”.
Young’s daughters concluded their statement by saying: “She leaves the treasure of those who performed brilliantly as their legacy, a prosperous school that affects her name, and is a precious place in the heart of the nation.
“Above all she leaves the memory of an East and girl, who worked hard to achieve her goals, grabbed life, and lived it completely.
“We share his love with his broad and inclusive family, his friends, his students. You all mean the world for him. We will miss him a lot.”
