Former Royal Ballet choreographer Liam Scarlett dies aged 35
Liam Scarlett, the internationally renowned choreographer, has died at the age of 35, a year after leaving the Royal Ballet amid allegations of inappropriate behaviour.
The cause of death has not been disclosed.
In a statement, his family said: “It is with great sadness that we announce the tragic, untimely death of our beloved Liam.
“At this difficult time for all of our family, we would ask that you respect our privacy to enable us to grieve our loss.”
The Royal Opera House wrote on Twitter: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of Liam Scarlett’s death. Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this very sad time.”
The New Zealand School of Dance tweeted: “So sad learning Liam Scarlett has died.”
Last year the Royal Ballet severed ties with Scarlett, who had been accused of sexual misconduct with students.
The company said his position as artist-in-residence in Covent Garden had ended and performances of his production Symphonic Dances would not go ahead.
It said an independent investigation into his behaviour had “found there were no matters to pursue in relation to alleged contact with students of the Royal Ballet School”.
He was initially suspended by the Royal Ballet in 2019 after the allegations of sexual misconduct were made. The Australian Queensland Ballet also served ties with the choreographer at that time.
The Ipswich-born dancer trained at the Linda Shipton School of Dancing and the Royal Ballet School.
Scarlett joined the Royal Ballet company in 2006 and retired from dancing in 2012 in order to focus on choreography.
His works for the Royal Ballet include Despite, Vayamos al Diablo, Consolations and Liebestraum, Asphodel Meadows and Swan Lake.
In 2014 he became the youngest choreographer to create a full-length ballet for the company, with Frankenstein.