Sylvia Young whose world famous stage school launched the careers of Amy Winehouse, Rita Ora, Billie Piper and Spice Girl Emma Bunton, has died at the age of 86.
Her daughter, West End star Frances Ruffelle, confirmed this morning that her mother had died peacefully this morning surrounded by her family.
Frances is herself the mother of pop star Eliza Doolittle, another member of the talented family.
Some of Britain's best known entertainers and singers owe their careers to the pioneering teacher, who founded her eponymous school in 1972.
Now based in Westminster, the £14,400 a year school began with part time classes in the east end of London, before expanding to a larger space in Marleybone and then changing venues once again to a converted church in Westminster where it remains today.
