Leon Heywood has died aged 45 (Image: Facebook)
‘s Got To Dance star Leon Haywood has died aged 45.
The professional dancer and TV star, who wowed judges and audiences alike during the show’s semi-finals in 2011, has passed away. A cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
Got To Dance aired on Sky from 2009 to 2014, and saw aspiring dancers compete for a £250,000 prize.
Leon’s innovative choreography earned high praise from judges Davina McCall, Kimberly Wyatt, and Diversity’s Ashley Banjo, who hailed their act as “the best seen on a live round to date”.
Trinity Warriors Dance Academy announced the devastating news on Wednesday, paying tribute to one of its founding members.
In a heartfelt statement, they expressed: “It is with great regret we would like to inform you of the passing of Leon Heywood, one of the academy’s founding fathers.”
They continued to honour his memory, saying, “Leon was such an incredible person and he was an inspiration to every single one of us, from students to parents, to supporters and the dance community as a whole, he inspired so many of us and was everyone’s biggest support.
“To many of you he wasn’t just a dance teacher, he was a mentor, a friend, a role model, some of you thought of him as a father figure or a big brother and he loved every single one of you.”
Leon performed on Sky’s Got to Dance dance competition in 2011 (Image: Bloomberg via Getty Images)
The group reflected on Leon’s profound impact, stating, “Leon helped pave the way for so many of us and shaped us into not only the dancers we are today but also contributed into shaping us all into the people we are today.
“His students have gone on to do incredible things and even if your path didn’t continue in dance he was proud of us all and what we have all accomplished.”, reports .
The tribute went on to say: “The news of his passing has been a great shock to us all, however, Leon was a man of God and faith and he is now at peace in heaven and would want us all to remember all of the amazing memories we are all so privileged to share together.
“With that being said, the Trinity Warriors and Academy prides itself not just on the incredible talent of our dancers are but most importantly the value of being apart of a crew and dance family… and that’s exactly what we are, one big Trinity family, so please feel free to share any pictures, videos or just words in the comment section below so we can all look back and share all our special moments.
“Please also allow Leon’s family and close ones time to grieve at this difficult time, all your messages and kind words are being read and are appreciated and loved at this difficult time. Leon’s life will be celebrated and through us all and his legacy will live on forever…Rest in eternal peace Leon aka “Boogie” T’s up forever.”