Steven McIntosh
Entertainment reporter
Sylvia Young, the founder of the London theatre school which launched countless entertainment careers, has died aged 85.
Amy Winehouse, Rita Ora, Billie Piper, Dua Lipa and McFly’s Tom Fletcher are among the stars who trained at the school early in their careers before going on to mainstream success.
In a statement, Young’s daughters Alison and Frances announced “with great sadness” that their mother had died “peacefully” on Wednesday morning.
“Our Mum was a true visionary,” they said. “She gave young people from all walks of life the chance to pursue their performing arts skills to the highest standard.”
The statement continued: “Her rare ability to recognise raw talent and encourage all her students contributed to the richness of today’s theatre and music world.
“She believed hard work with a bit of luck brought success, and she was an example of that herself.”
Young founded her eponymous school in 1972, beginning with part-time classes in the east end of London.
The school expanded to a larger space in Marylebone before later moving to its current home in a converted church near Marble Arch.
Young was made an OBE in 2005, and in 2022 she received a special Olivier award for “giving countless students the opportunity to study performing arts”.
Other famous attendees included Emma Bunton, Denise Van Outen, Leona Lewis, Daniel Kaluuya, Layton Williams, Keeley Hawes, Gemma Collins, Lily Cole and Lashana Lynch.
Busted’s Matt Willis, Little Mix stars Jesy Nelson and Leigh-Anne Pinnock, and All Saints singers Melanie Blatt and Nicole and Natalie Appleton are also among the school’s alumni.
Van Outen credited Young for her career, recalling in an interview how she advised her: “Don’t focus on one thing, try and do all of it and you’ll always work.”
Paying tribute, DJ Tony Blackburn said he was “so sorry” to hear of Young’s death, adding her school had “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,” Blackburn added. “She will be sadly missed.”
Commenting on the post announcing Young’s death, actress Sadie Frost said: “What a woman, what a family, what a legacy!
“Sending everyone so much love and support. She was always so lovely to me and will cherish memories forever.”
Author and actress Giovanna Fletcher commented: “My life wouldn’t be what it is without Sylvia’s input, and I’m not the only one. An incredible woman with an inspirational legacy.”
Natalie Appleton said: “This is going to really affect us all who were lucky enough to be part of her amazing world growing up. What a time, the best memories!”
TV and radio presenter Kate Thornton said Young “meant so much to so many”.
Young’s daughters concluded their statement by saying: “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.
“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.
“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.”
An earlier version of this story reported Young’s age as 86, but it was later confirmed she was born in September 1939 and was 85.
