A retired Falmouth dance teacher who spent her early years in the company of celebrities has been remembered fondly following her death at the age of 86.

Jean Reynolds, née Adair, was born on the March 20, 1935, in Falmouth. Her mother wanted Jean to become a dancer, so at the age of two, she enrolled her at the Dorothy Martin dancing school in Falmouth. Jean's first performance involved her coming out of a Christmas cracker.

Jean went on to attend Falmouth County High School and then Quarry Hill School.

When she was 15, Jean joined Legat, the famous ballet and music school in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. At 16, Jean attended the Opera House in Paris where she danced, she then travelled to Belgium and France. After this, Jean returned to England where she danced at the Falmouth Amateur Operatic Society.

In 1954 she joined the Theatre girls Club in Soho, London. During this time, she worked and shared a flat with actress Amanda Barrie, famous for being in two Carry On films and Coronation Street.

Jean was also asked to become one of Lionel Blair's back up dancers, and during this time she danced her way around Europe and Scotland, where she was even asked to be in a film by the Action Film and Stage Agency in London.

Jean then got her Equity contract that took her to Butlins and on to Tom Arnold’s Circus, where she was a unicyclist and performer.

Unfortunately, in 1955 Jean had to give up her professional career due to thrombosis and decided to open her own dancing school at the YMCA in Falmouth, the Jean Adair School of Dancing.

During her time teaching she would often accompany students to television studios, even accompanying one, Yvonne Watson, to perform on Opportunity Knocks with a magic act.

Retired Falmouth dance teacher Jean Reynolds has died aged 86

Retired Falmouth dance teacher Jean Reynolds has died aged 86

In 1963 she joined Redruth Amateur Operation and the following year she met David, when he came to the studio where Jean was giving lessons but was without a partner so she stepped in.

They were married in 1965 at The Methodist Church in Falmouth and honeymooned in Torquay. In 1966 David and Jean had a son Christopher, and later Kim. They went on to have two grandchildren, Matthew and Jessica.

In 1976 the couple appeared on the TV game show Mr and Mrs.

Jean was later presented with a Cornwall Coat of Arms, a tribute to her for her contribution to charity throughout her life.

In 1987 Jean choreographed her last show with the Follies, with David retiring from his work with BT in the same year. She closed the dance school the following year, due to increasing rent charges, and the couple spent their retirement ballroom dancing, walking and seeing shows.

Jean sadly passed away on Wednesday March 9, aged 86. She will be sadly missed by family and friends, who said of her: “Jean was a loving, generous, adventurous lady who had time for everyone.”

A funeral service took place at St Budock Church last Wednesday, with donations in lieu of flowers taken for Cancer Research UK through Penryn & Falmouth Funeral Directors.