Stars pay tribute to ‘ amazing’ dance teacher
ONE OF the nation’s most beloved dance teachers, who helped launch the careers of the likes of singers Mel B and Joe Longthorne, has died at the age of 94.
Jean Pearce taught tens of thousands of students at her dance school in Leeds over the course of her decades- long career, including dozens who have starred in the West End and on the Silver Screen.
Leeds- born former Spice Girl Mel B is one of many to have paid a tribute to Jean, who she described as an “amazing” and “incredible” teacher.
The pop star said, were it not for Jean, she is not sure she would ever have become a Spice Girl.
Ms Pearce’s son Billy, a regular entertainer on television in the 1980s, said more tributes have poured in from the world of showbusiness since his mother’s death on November 6.
Mum touched so many lives with her amazing teaching skills. Billy Pearce talks about his mother Jean Pearce.
Among others, he has been contacted by Debbie McGee, Les Dennis, Jason Manford, Christopher Biggins, Jimmy Cricket, Bobby Davro and Joe Pasquale.
Speaking this week, Mr Pearce said: “My mum was a wonderfully talented lady who touched so many lives with her amazing teaching skills. He added: “She always managed to get the absolute best from her pupils and each and every one of them loved and respected her.”
Ms Pearce, born and raised in Leeds, started dancing at the age of eight and began teaching when she was around 18 years old.
Shortly after the end of the Second World War, she opened the Jean Pearce School of Dance, which she ran until around 20 years ago as her career wound down.