Frederick Ashton was an outsider in the world of ballet. He grew up in South America and only began dancing when he was 20 years old, against the wishes of his family. Yet somehow Ashton went on ...

Ballerina Francesca Hayward, currently the subject of much critical praise, made her debut in The Royal Ballet's Rhapsody, choreographed by Sir Frederick Ashton in 1980, aged 21. Here, seen in ...

Leslie Spatt Mr Webb (right) danced in the Royal Ballet under the stewardship of Sir Frederick Ashton (left) She pointed out to Mr Webb's mother that her son had some talent, urging her to ...