Darcey Bussell

I know, for me, dance did inspire me. Not just in how I feel but that confidence of being able to hold myself and come into a room and just feel comfortable with my body and how I stand and how you present yourself and just how you wear clothes, even.

A teacher's not going to bother being tough on you for no reason; it's when they're not paying you attention that you should worry.

We only open a couple of presents on Christmas morning; we're all about the stockings - we even get them for the dogs!

I've always been quite famous for my nose.

I never imagined I'd be a presenter on television, but I'm happy to put myself out of my comfort zone.

I've got that personality where I've always been determined. As a dancer, I was constantly improving and perfecting. I guess it's innate.

As a little girl, I didn't dream of being a ballet dancer; I dreamt of being a movie star like Ginger Rogers and dancing with Fred Astaire. I used to watch the Sunday double-bills on TV and Iong to be part of what seemed a perfect Disneyland world. Astaire was a genius.

Being on stage taught me how to apply eyeliner.

Looking after myself is something I probably have to be much more conscious of than the average person.

I loved gymnastics, and my gymnastics teacher said ballet was essential to help my dance routines in competitions. I only really went because my friends were going as well. It wasn't this kind of hidden love. Then, slowly, my friends stopped going and I thought, 'I like this. I am going to stay.'

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

I would love more children, but no. I'm very lucky to have had my two.