Former Strictly Come Dancing judge and retired ballerina Dame Darcey Bussell unveiled a plaque in Norwich honouring one of the city's most famous dancers.

Eastern Daily Press: Dame Darcey Bussell signed the childhood ballet shoes of Sarah Childs from Lowestoft at the unveiling of a blue plaque foR Vernon Castle in Norwich. Picture: Neil DidsburyDame Darcey Bussell signed the childhood ballet shoes of Sarah Childs from Lowestoft at the unveiling of a blue plaque foR Vernon Castle in Norwich. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

The dancing icon visited Norwich on Tuesday to unveil the blue plaque for Vernon Castle in Prince of Wales Road at the side of Premier Inn Hotel Nelson.

Born Vernon Blythe in 1887, Mr Castle was brought up at the Nelson Hotel, which was then known as the old Great Eastern Hotel, before moving to America and becoming a world famous dancer in the early 1900s.

Once in the Big Apple he pursued his dreams of becoming an actor and he and his wife, ballroom dancer Irene, inspired the likes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers.

Some even say it was the dancing duo's influence that brought the popular TV show Strictly Come Dancing to our screens.

Eastern Daily Press: Signed by the Dancing Queen herself, Dame Darcey Bussell. the childhood ballet shoes of Sarah Childs from Lowestoft. Picture: Neil DidsburySigned by the Dancing Queen herself, Dame Darcey Bussell. the childhood ballet shoes of Sarah Childs from Lowestoft. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

Dame Darcey said: 'It's lovely, for me it's so important to remember where it came from and people like this they modernise dance at the beginning of the 1900s, and it's extraordinary what they did in such a short time.'

Upon the first outbreak of the First World War, Mr Castle gave up his celebrity life to join the military as a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps.

He flew more than 150 missions over enemy lines and survived being shot down.

But in February 1918, while teaching other pilots how to fly, he was forced to crash his plane to avoid a mid-air collision and died aged 31.

Eastern Daily Press: film historian Philip Yaxley who has campaigned for a plaque for many years. Picture: Joanne Yaxleyfilm historian Philip Yaxley who has campaigned for a plaque for many years. Picture: Joanne Yaxley (Image: Joanna Yaxley)

Dame Darcey said: 'He didn't have a very long life, he was a pilot and died in the war and it's incredibly sad to think what else he could've done.

'He was in films and worked with amazing composers and producers and was incredibly creative, and it's really important to recognise his work and what he did for the British arts, even though he went off to New York and Paris, but he travelled the world, it's wonderful.'

She was joined by film historian Philip Yaxley who has campaigned for a plaque for many years.

His daughter, Joanne Yaxley, said: 'It was a fantastic occasion and I'm very proud of my dad who has been instrumental in making this happen after first muting the idea 10 years ago.

Eastern Daily Press: Ballet royalty, Dame Darcey Bussell said it was an honour to be asked to unveil a plaque to remember the life of Norwich dancer Vernon Castle. Picture: Neil DidsburyBallet royalty, Dame Darcey Bussell said it was an honour to be asked to unveil a plaque to remember the life of Norwich dancer Vernon Castle. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

'We first met Dame Darcey in November when we asked her to perform the unveiling and we're delighted she came today and completed the honours.

'Fabulous to be recognising an important Norwich historical figure and hopefully the plaque will be a reminder of his importance in years to come.'

Eastern Daily Press: Dame Darcey Bussell unveils a blue plaque for Vernon Castle, the Norwich dancer who took over the world. Picture: Neil DidsburyDame Darcey Bussell unveils a blue plaque for Vernon Castle, the Norwich dancer who took over the world. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Dame Darcey Bussell signing an old pair of ballet shoes for a fan at the Premier Inn Nelson Hotel in Norwich. Picture: Neil DidsburyDame Darcey Bussell signing an old pair of ballet shoes for a fan at the Premier Inn Nelson Hotel in Norwich. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Dame Darcey Bussell chatting to the nephew of the late Vernon Castle, a dancer from Norwich who became world famous. Picture: Neil DidsburyDame Darcey Bussell chatting to the nephew of the late Vernon Castle, a dancer from Norwich who became world famous. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Dame Darcey Bussell meets the family of the late Vernon Castle, the Norwich man who went on to conquer the dance world on both sides of the Atlantic. Picture: Neil DidsburyDame Darcey Bussell meets the family of the late Vernon Castle, the Norwich man who went on to conquer the dance world on both sides of the Atlantic. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Dame Darcey Bussell meets the family of the late Vernon Castle, the Norwich man who went on to conquer the dance world on both sides of the Atlantic. Picture: Neil DidsburyDame Darcey Bussell meets the family of the late Vernon Castle, the Norwich man who went on to conquer the dance world on both sides of the Atlantic. Picture: Neil Didsbury (Image: Archant)