DARCEY BUSSELL

I had once been told my ability to read would only reach that of a ten-year-old, but I was determined to achieve more.

My mum sent me to ballet from the age of five, not because I was that into it but because I had really knock knees.

Since finishing my professional dancing career, I've been conscious of not letting myself go.

Weirdly, I didn't even know that I said 'yah' all the time.

I used to wear long jumpers, but they made me look like a bag tied up in the middle.

Being a ballerina can be a very unnatural life, especially after you've had children.

I hate throwing personal things away, especially my cards. As I know I won't be dancing for ever, these are the things that I will look back on.

Sometimes I regret that I don't have a bit more fun with money. I should have spoilt myself a bit more. Life isn't going to last for ever.

As long as everything is happy at home, I can be totally selfish at work.

When I was at the Royal Ballet School, I remember receiving my first eyeshadow palette from Marks & Spencer as a gift. It sparked my interest in beauty, which peaked when I became more involved in theatre and got to experience so many stunning image transformations to suit different productions.

There are always younger and better dancers fighting to get your place. You get worn down by the fight to try to stay at the top.

Dancing has always been a passion for me, one that I will probably never be rid of.

Diets don't come into it. You need variety and to have a good source of greens, protein, and nutrition. It is about health rather than looking right.

If I had a caterer that lived at home, it would be fabulous!

One thing I've learned from 'Strictly' is timing and the craft of the talk.

I wore myself out physically and mentally over my career, and I couldn't be there for my daughters in ways I should have been.

This perception that we can be stars without any work and just appear is rubbish.

I am not a big vitamin-taker. I have vitamin C during the winter, but eating lots of fruit and veg does the trick.

Everything is not beautiful at the ballet. It's tough.

Being on stage taught me how to apply eyeliner.

When I started on 'Strictly,' I was terrified. Live television seemed like the most daunting thing in the world.

I did ballet from the age of five, but what I loved was my gymnastics. I kept the ballet going because of the gymnastics, then found I was going to be too tall.

I do feel blessed to have small ears - I've never felt self-conscious when my hair is swept back. My feet are a different story - I grew up being painfully aware of them because they are so long.

I can't imagine leaving the theatre altogether. My dressing room has become a home from home.

I hate exercise when it's a regime, but I love a bit of dance, just moving the whole body.