TRIBUTES have poured in for a dance teacher and member of the aerial arts community "with a big heart and a warm smile".

More than 80 people have taken to social media to pay tribute to James Agar-Leigh, aged 36 and known to his friends as JJ, who was has been identified by friends and family as the man tragically killed in a collision off the A55 near Northop, on Sunday, December 1.

Christopher Agar-Leigh, taking to Facebook to pay tribute to his husband, wrote: "It is with sad regret that last night the angels took my soul mate.

"This man was my life and my world I am heart broken more than you could imagine."

The Leader:

James 'JJ' Agar-Leigh with Sam and Georgia Palomba

A former student of the Performers College in Basildon, Essex, James taught aerial trapeze and silks at Prestatyn's Elevation Aerial Arts before going on to found his own school the Body Rock Dance Academy (BRDA) in Rhyl alongside siblings Natasha Cross and Tara Leigh Nolan.

The school teaches a wide variety of disciplines, including ballet and acro-gymnastics to performers of a variety of ages.

In a statement from BRDA on Facebook, a spokesperson wrote: "A loss we as a family will never recover from, JJ our big brother and our best friend, the absolute heart of Body Rock. Not a kinder soul to grace the earth, far too good for this world he’s gone to dance with the angels."

Sam Palomba, owner of Prestatyn' Elevation Aerial Arts said: "JJ was an amazing friend who was always there for me with a warm heart and a big smile.

The Leader:

JJ performs on the aerial silks at Prestatyn Elevation Aerial Arts

"It was on JJ's advice that I started teaching children and developed the studio into what it is today , without his advice and guidance we wouldn’t have so many amazing aerialists- he was so much fun to be around and an amazing aerialist and dancer. "

"Even though he was busy he always had time to help me with advice on running the studio anything from putting on a show to training a certain move."

"I remember when JJ met his husband Chris and brought him round to meet us for the first time we never stopped laughing all night and it was obvious he had met the love of his life .

"We are devastated to lose our friend and it will leave a massive void in the hearts of many people and will be felt throughout this community. Our thoughts are with his husband and family at this very sad time."

Among his former students was Talia Hawker, of Prestatyn, who received private lessons from James as well as at Elevation Aerial Arts and has made a career working for a variety of international circus and currently travels the world performing as an aerialist.

Miss Hawker said: "He was an amazing person, and would do anything for anyone. I wouldn't be the aerialist I am today if it wasn't for him, along with other dancers and gymnasts he has taught. "As a teacher, he was incredible.

"I'm absolutely devastated for everyone especially his husband and family and all the children he teaches."

Following the incident, police were joined by emergency personnel from the Welsh Air Ambulance and the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokesman for North Wales Police said: "His family have been informed. Sgt Raymond Williams appealing for any witnesses/dashcam footage around the Mold/Flint onslip at around 7pm."

"Anyone who has information about the incident can call police on 101 with reference X173638."