FAMILY, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to a talented Chester dancer who has died at the age of just 24.
Lee Hopkins, a professional commercial industry dancer, died on February 7 of bilateral pneumonia.
Lee, a former dance pupil of the Hammond School in Chester, grew up in Newton before moving to London aged 16 to pursue a professional dancing career.
After just missing out on a dancing role in popular Queen musical We Will Rock You, Lee achieved success with a supporting dance role for Take That, following it up by dancing for the band again at the Brit Awards.
Lee’s dad David, mum Jenny, brother Dave Junior and partner Paul said: “We thank all Lee’s dance friends and dance management agents who supported him throughout his successful career, and are giving him a dance send-off in London.”
A spokeswoman for the Hammond School said: “The Hammond School is greatly saddened to hear about Lee’s untimely death.
“He was a lovely boy who was really hard-working and very talented.”
A spokesperson for dance agency Riven Productions, which Lee had signed up to, said: “For those who knew Lee, he was a very popular dancer in London and was pushing hard in the commercial industry, achieving his dreams and working hard on dance assignments.
“Lee was a warm character and an extremely reliable and professional dancer, training at the Hammond School and then London studio centre.
“Lee was applying to the Olympic ceremonies and also for artist tour castings this year.
“Lee was a complete joy to work with, totally committed and a complete professional. With many more spaces to fill on his CV, we know for certain Lee would have achieved all his aspirations and was making great steps toward a continuing and successful dance career.”
Lee is to have two funeral services. The first will take place in London this Saturday, while the second will be at the all Saints Church in Hoole Road, Hoole, on Friday, February 24, at 1pm.
