Stage school pioneer Sylvia Young has died aged 86

Sylvia Young, founder and principal of Sylvia Young Theatre School in London, has died at the age of 86.

The news was confirmed today by Young’s daughters Alison and Frances Ruffelle via a post on instagram.

The message read: “It is with great sadness we let you know that our incredible Mum Sylvia Young passed away peacefully this morning, 30 July 2025.

“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 and music world, even winning herself an Olivier Award along the way.

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

“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.

“Her family were everything to her, her wonderful husband, our dad, Norman and her grandchildren Eliza, Nat, Felix and Coral plus her great grandson Rex.

“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.”

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A post shared by Sylvia Young Theatre School (@sytslondon)

Born in Hackney in 1939, Young went on to found the Sylvia Young Theatre School in 1981 on Drury Lane in London and the school moved to its current home in Marylebone in 1983.

Young was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list of 2005, recognising her services to the arts.

Over the years, many notable names have graduated from the school, including Amy Winehouse, Nicholas Hoult, Lashana Lynch, Lily Cole, Billie Piper, Dua Lipa, Emma Bunton, Denise Van Outen, Kara Tointon, Tom Fletcher, Rita Ora and Matt Willis to name just a few. Her granddaughter is Eliza Sophie Caird, better known as singer-songwriter Eliza Doolittle.

Tributes have poured in from the theatre world and beyond, including a statement shared to press from Cameron Mackintosh, who said today:

“Sylvia Young has been a force of nature and legend in British show business for so long that it seems impossible to take in that she is no longer with us. Sylvia was a pioneer who became a caring but formidable children’s agent, who then went on to found the top drama school for young performers. She has had a profound influence on the character and discipline of generations of new young talent. The show that proved the greatest showcase for the young actors she discovered and nurtured is undoubtedly Oliver!, and for many decades we have all been indebted to her indefatigable enthusiasm, perceptive eye and prodigious output of talent. We have always considered Sylvia to be part of the family as she has always done everything for us. I’m sure her considerable legacy will be built upon by her family, Frances and Alison Ruffelle and her grandchildren. Those of us who were lucky enough to know Sylvia can celebrate ‘A Fine Life’ and we were so happy she was able to see Oliver! again one last time very recently.”

Performers including Giovanna Fletcher, Rob Madge, and Idriss Kargbo are among those leaving tributes on social media.