Ealing History: Margot Fonteyn

Ealing had more than just The Stones and The Who grooving to the rhythm! Did you know that the legendary ballerina Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991) spent six wonderful childhood years here? Back then, she went by the name Peggy Hookham, a switch that happened when her family moved from Reigate.

During her time in Ealing, Peggy took her very first ballet lessons at a school near Ealing Common, thanks to the guidance of Grace Bosustow. She received her first review at the age of ONLY five when The Middlesex County Times praised her for a charity performance, highlighting a "remarkably fine solo dance by Peggy Hookham, which was vigorously encored."