Darcey Bussell Interviewed by Nick Higham

One of the world’s best-known ballerinas and Strictly Come Dancing judge Dame Darcey Bussell talks about her life and career.

Bussell became the youngest British principal dancer at The Royal Ballet in 1989 at the age of 19. She remained at The Royal Ballet until her retirement in 2007. During a 30-year career she played all the major classical roles. Since then she has forged a new career as a writer and on television. She has released six short books in the Magic Ballerina children’s series, co-wrote The Young Dancer and has published two autobiographical picture books including the latest one, Evolved. Evolved includes rare and previously unseen photographs taken during her career by the likes of Lord Snowdon, Mario Testino and Annie Leibovitz.

Bussell has presented BBC television documentaries on famous ballerinas and is now particularly well known as a judge on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing show. Here she talks to BBC journalist Nick Higham, who was the BBC’s first ever media correspondent and, until recently, presenter of Meet the Author on the BBC news channel.