Darcey Bussell, The Magic Ballerina

Darcey Bussell was and still is England's beloved principal ballerina. She is now married with two daughters and lives in Australia. She still keeps very much in touch with the dancing world by being on the board of the Sydney Dance Company, Vice President of the Royal Academy of Dance and television presenter.

Although she is no longer a Prima Ballerina she hasn't lost the ability to turn heads, as she is tall and slender with beautiful long legs. Although she has retired from the Royal Ballet, her life is far from idle.

She accepted a position on the board of Sydney Dance Company, which is a contemporary company led by Rafael Bonachela. Darcey is revelling in this position, and is enjoying the new contemporary world that has opened up before her. She makes sure that the dancers' voices are heard at board level.

Darcey Bussell works a week out of every month as a television presenter presenting the arts channel.

Darcey Bussel has recently been appointed as vice president of the RAD and this is what is keeping her closely attached to the classical ballet world. She has always been closely associated with the RAD during her dancing years with the Royal Ballet and attended many of the RAD events.

According to Darcey, her most demanding role is one which she has recently upgraded to a full time position. This is being a mother to her two young daughters. Darcey was lucky enough to be able to return to dancing after she had both her first and second child, but she came to the point where she no longer wanted to prioritize dance.

A lot of British dance critics felt that Bussell retired prematurely, and her final performance got an eight minute standing ovation. Darcey was the first English ballerina since Margot Fonteyn to capture the publics' imagination, and there doesn't seem to be anyone waiting in the wings to replace her in the hearts and minds of the British public.

Darcey was admitted into the White Lodge Ballet School at the age of thirteen, and worked hard to overcome her disadvantage of being so tall and starting so late. She was hand picked by Sir Kenneth MacMillan to dance the lead in the Prince of the Pagodas, and from there she never looked back.

At the age of twenty she was promoted to principal dancer, and was the youngest principal in the Royal's history. She was famous for her impeccable line, artistry and musicality. She guest starred with many companies including New York City Ballet and the Kirov.

Darcy Bussell loved dancing all the classic ballets like Romeo and Juliet and Swan Lake. Her first main role was in Swan Lake and she received coaching from Margot Fonteyn herself for this role. She kept a high profile while she danced, and you can even see her wax image in Madame Tussaudes. She has also appeared in Vogue and Vanity Fair.

Darcey Bussell moved to Australia once she retired to get away from all the attention. She keeps herself very busy and in addition to her other commitments has agreed to a third and final series of her Magic Ballerina children's books. She is also taking jazz ballet once a week at the SDC and this keeps her both happy and healthy.