Darcey Bussell

Darcey Bussell

Darcey Andrea Bussell CBE (born Darcey Andrea Crittle on 27 April 1969) is a retired English ballerina. Trained at the Arts Educational School and the Royal Ballet School, she was later employed by the Royal Ballet, where she was promoted to the rank of Principal Dancer and would become recognised as one of the greatest British ballerinas of all time. She has performed as a guest artist with leading international ballet companies and, since retiring from professional ballet in 2007, has continued to be active in the world of dance. She performed with Katherine Jenkins in the show Viva La Diva, authored a series of dance books for children titled Magic ballerina and in 2012 Bussell replaced Alesha Dixon on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing judging panel. In 2012 she became the President of the Royal Academy of Dance.