Sylvia Young alumni - Emma Bunton, Amy Winehouse, EastEnders legends and more

Sylvia Young, the stage school trailblazer who launched the careers of huge pop singers, soap stars, and acclaimed actors, has sadly died.

The teacher founded the globally renowned Sylvia Young Theatre School, which was attended by a catalogue of famous faces over the years. Sylvia referred to herself as the 'caretaker of the school' and resided in the flat upstairs with her husband Norman, despite being both founder and headmistress.

It comes after it was confirmed that Sylvia passed away peacefully at the age of 86 with family by her side. Her daughter and West End star Frances Ruffelle, who shared a statement, described her mum as "a true visionary", who could "recognise raw talent".

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Founded in 1972, the Sylvia Young Theatre School has been in existence for over 50 years. During this time, Sylvia played a vital role in finding and establishing the stars who have become world-famous today.

The performing arts school, found in the heart of London near Paddington, specialises in vocational and academic education for children aged between 10 and 16 years. Notably, Sylvia taught Amy Winehouse and helped launch her successful career.

Other A-list pupils of Sylvia's over the years included pop sensation Dua Lipa, Strictly Come Dancing star Layton Williams, and actress Billie Piper. Not to mention her list of talented singers who went on to find fame in a band.

This included McFly's Tom Fletcher, Spice Girls' Emma Bunton, Busted's Matt Willis, The Saturdays' Vanessa White, and The Wanted member Nathan Sykes, who all attended the school. Here's the full list of the alumni of Sylvia's prestigious school...

Full-time pupils

• Adele Silva
• Alex Walkinshaw
• Amy Winehouse
• Ashley Horne
• Billie Piper
• Ceallach Spellman
• Chris Overton
• Charlotte Spencer
• Claire Buckfield
• Clare Burt
• Dean Gaffney
• Denise Van Outen
• Dionne Bromfield
• Emma Bunton
• Frances Ruffelle
• Giovanna Fletcher
• Grant Olding
• Harry Lawtey
• Iain Robertson
• India Amarteifio
• Isabel Hodgins
• Jade Ewen
• Jake Roche
• James Lance
• Jamie Borthwick
• Jasmin Walia
• Jasmine Thompson
• Jenna Russell
• Jesy Nelson
• Joe Cooper
• John McCrea
• John Pickard
• Jon Lee
• Jonny Weldon
• Karim Zeroual
• Kate Wacdermac
• Keeley Hawes
• Kellie Bright
• Kevin Mathurin
• Letitia Dean
• Louisa Lytton
• Luisa Bradshaw-White
• Matt D'Angelo
• Matt Willis
• Matthew Thomas
• Melanie Blatt
• Mohammed George
• Molly Rainford
• Natalie Appleton
• Nathan Sykes
• Nicholas Hoult
• Nick Pickard
• Nicola Stapleton
• Nicole Appleton
• Poppy Friar
• Preeya Kalidas
• Renée Downer
• Rita Ora
• Robert Madge
• Sam Callaghan
• Samantha Womack
• Scott Robinson
• Sheree Murphy
• Simon Lipkin
• Sophie Lawrence
• Stefan Abingdon
• Stella Quaresma
• Steven Mackintosh
• Tom Atkinson
• Tom Fletcher
• Vanessa White

Part-time pupils

• Adam Woodyatt
• Ashley Walters
• Calum Callaghan
• Daniel Kaluuya
• Dua Lipa
• Ella Purnell
• Gemma Collins
• Hakeem Kae-Kazim
• Javine Hylton
• Jaymi Hemsley
• Jemima Rooper
• Josh Cuthbert
• Kara Tointon
• Lashana Lynch
• Mark Wright
• Nick Berry
• Perry Fenwick
• Pixie Davies
• Tamzin Outhwaite

In a touching tribute to Sylvia's passing, her daughter Frances wrote: "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 world, even winning an Olivier award herself along the way.

"She believed hard work with a bit of luck brought success and she was an example of that herself.

"Above all she leaves the memory of an East End girl who's 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, Norman, our dad and her grandchildren, Eliza, Nat, Phoenix and Coral and her great grandson, Felix.

"We share her love with her wide and inclusive family, her friends, her students, you all meant the world to her."