Darcey Bussell

I've come to realise that being on 'Strictly' is like being in another theatre company and performing a live production. ”

I've always been quite conscious of it, though I don't know why. I would never overspend, and I have to know exactly what I've got so that I avoid going into overdraft. I watch my pennies, and I'm quite thrifty. ”

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. ”