The world of TV and music united at Sylvia Young’s funeral on Friday morning.
Alexandra Burke, Denise Van Outen and Nicole Appleton led mourners paying tribute to the stage school pioneer.
Sylvia, who helped launch the careers of Amy Winehouse, Rita Ora, Billie Piper and Spice Girl Emma Bunton, died at the age of 86 in July.
Daughter and West End star Frances Ruffelle – the mother of pop star Eliza Doolittle – confirmed July 30 that her mother had died peacefully surrounded by her 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.
Alexandra Burke (pictured), Denise Van Outen and Nicole Appleton led mourners paying tribute to the stage school pioneer on Friday
Sylvia, who helped launch the careers of Amy Winehouse, Rita Ora, Billie Piper and Spice Girl Emma Bunton , died at the age of 86 in July
The school has a strong reputation for nurturing young talent with an alumni that reads like a roll call of British showbusiness.
Other famous faces who attended include Singer Dua Lipa, presenter Denise Van Outen and Tom Fletcher from McFly.
Denise Van Outen credited Sylvia for her career. In an interview she told how Young has advised her ‘don’t focus on one thing, try and do all of it and you’ll always work.’
