Darcey Bussell joined the Royal Ballet School when she was 13 and, despite starting later than most of the other students, became a Principal of the Royal Ballet at just 19, at the time the youngest ballerina ever to be given this honour. Darcey received both the OBE and CBE awards during her time with the Royal Ballet, and since officially retiring in 2007 she has teamed up with Katherine Jenkins in the phenomenally successful ‘Viva la Diva’. In 2012 she joined the judging panel of the BBC’s ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. She is married with two daughters.

“Don’t be surprised if your child asks for a magical pair of red ballet shoes.” Telegraph Magazine“Delightful.” You Magazine (Mail on Sunday)“A delight for any young reader who sees herself as a budding ballerina.” MumKnowsBest.co.uk