Dancer dies in plunge from Barbican YMCA

Andrew Sargeant, 19, who was found dead at the bottom of the high-rise building where he lived in Finsbury, was a gifted scholarship student at the Italia Conti Theatre Arts School, a breeding ground for young British talent.

A member of staff at the YMCA, who did not wish to be named, said he believed Andrew fell as he tried to climb into the window of a close friend just before 3am last Friday. Andrew, whose family live in Bournemouth, was in his third year at the Italia Conti School - which counts Noel Coward, Naomi Campbell, Sharon Osbourne and Patsy Kensit among its alumni - and, according to the principal, was on course to graduate with flying colours.

He had already won dancing roles on stage and screen - including Nickelodeon TV's Genie In The House, ITV's The Brits 25 and the Shaw Theatre's recent production of 42nd Street.

He had been away rehearsing for a Christmas pantomime in St Albans but returned to Islington on the Thursday for the last day of term to watch his friends in their Christmas concert at the Union Chapel in Angel.

Italia Conti principal Anne Sheward said: "It was a terrible shock, we're all still reeling. He was probably one of the most popular students in the college."

She said that when he returned for the show last week he had said he was really happy and life was good. "It seems inconceivable that he's no longer with us for what seems like a horrendous reason, an inexplicable accident."

She said the school gave Andrew a scholarship after he auditioned more than three years ago because he was "particularly talented".

"He was passionate about musical theatre, particularly dance," she said.

Tributes have been posted on his Facebook page. One, from Barry Mitchell, said: "You'll be missed ever so ... you're a star in every way possible, the show must go on."

Amanda Miles, a producer at the Disney Channel, wrote on the Facebook group dedicated to Andrew's memory: "I am shocked and incredibly sad. He was a delight to work with and to have met."

A spokeswoman for City of London Police said they were not treating the death as suspicious, adding: "It is believed he may have fallen from the YMCA building."

A post mortem examination found the cause of death to be multiple injuries. Police are appealing for witnesses to contact the CID at Snow Hill police station on 0207 601 2426.