Heartfelt tributes from some of the world’s best known celebrities have poured in for the founder of a High Wycombe stage school who died this week after decades of nurturing the future generations of stars like James Corden.

Jackie Palmer who founded the performing arts company more than 50 years ago has been hailed “legendary”, with actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson saying that he owes his career to her.

The 95-year-old sadly passed away on Wednesday afternoon alongside her daughter and son-in-law at home after proving to be one of the leading lights in nurturing talented youngsters to world stars.

In the last 24 hours, tributes have poured in to the former dancer, with many praising her for her work in the community.

Kick-Ass, Nowhere Boy and Avengers: Age of Ultron star Aaron Taylor-Johnson who attended the school and was born in High Wycombe, joined Jackie’s family in leading the tributes, saying: “If it hadn't been for Jackie Palmer I wouldn't be where I am today.”

The school was formed by Jackie and her daughter, Marylyn Phillips, in 1971, with hundreds of students learning from the pair and other instructors over the years.

Staff at Jackie Palmers Stage School said: “Jackie and Marylyn always considered their pupils to be their children, an extended family and over the last 45 years Jackie has been a matriarchal active figurehead, always inspirational and hugely loved by literally hundreds and thousands of children who have passed through the school."

Marylyn said: “The school has a number of instances when three generations of the same local families have been taught here and her loss is being responded to by floods of emails and social networking sites full of memories and stories of this remarkable lady.”

She added: “As Jackie never missed a show or cancelled an engagement, so to, Jackie Palmer’s continues with business as normal, as Jackie would say, “The show must go on”, and this incredible woman’s legacy continues to illuminate and will do so for many years to come.”

In 2014, James Corden - who grew up in Hazlemere - returned to the school for the opening of their new studio in Bridge Street.

At the time, he said: “Jackie was such a part of my life for such a long time, her influence on me is still as evident today as it was when I was ten years old."

Two years after Jackie started dance classes in the 1930s, she began dancing professionally in pantomimes and went on to become a principal dancer, head girl and choreographer, performing in the West End and throughout the country.

Having had her own dance school previously, she helped Marylyn set up the Jackie Palmer Stage School in 1971.

In 2011, a gala night in Jackie’s honour was held at the Wycombe Swan theatre, including tributes from around the world and archive footage.