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United Kingdom Darcey Bussell is a celebrated ballerina and television personality, recognized for her extensive career with The Royal Ballet and her role as a judge on Strictly Come Dancing.
Darcey Bussell founded DDMIX, a dance fitness charity aimed at getting dance fitness to be part of PE in state schools.
Darcey is President of the Royal Academy of Dance, which provides ballet coaching through its teachers worldwide.
DDMIX is a dance fitness charity, aimed at getting dance fitness to be part of PE in state schools.
Darcey is a patron of the Irish National Youth Ballet.
Darcey Bussell is the "godmother" of MS Azura, a 115,000 ton cruise liner of the P&O Cruises fleet. She performed the traditional ceremony of breaking a bottle of champagne to name the ship and staged a dance performance with students from the Royal Ballet School.
In 2019, Megabus named one of their new fleet of coaches 'Darcey Bussell'.
At the Chelsea Flower Show in 2006, David Austin Roses launched a new crimson rose called 'Darcey Bussell'.
Darcey Bussell, born Marnie Mercedes Darcey Pemberton Crittle on April 27, 1969, in London, England, developed an early interest in physical activity. She pursued formal dance training, attending the Arts Educational School and later the Royal Ballet School. In 1987, she joined the Sadler’s Wells Royal Ballet. A pivotal moment in her career occurred in 1988 when choreographer Kenneth MacMillan cast her in a leading role in his ballet, “The Prince of the Pagodas.” This opportunity led to her transfer to The Royal Ballet in 1989. At the age of 20, she was promoted to principal dancer, making her the youngest in the company’s history at that time.
Throughout her career, Bussell performed in over 80 different roles, with 17 roles specifically created for her. Her repertoire included significant classical ballet roles such as Princess Aurora in “The Sleeping Beauty,” Odette/Odile in “Swan Lake,” and the Sugar Plum Fairy in “The Nutcracker.” She also made multiple guest appearances with the New York City Ballet, starting in 1993 with a performance of the pas de deux from “Agon.” Bussell retired from her ballet career on June 8, 2007, with a performance of MacMillan’s “Song of the Earth” at the Royal Opera House, which was broadcast live on BBC Two.
Following her retirement from full-time ballet, Bussell transitioned into new roles. She served as a judge on the BBC television dance contest “Strictly Come Dancing” from 2012 to 2018, having previously appeared as a guest judge in 2009. In 2012, she participated in the Summer Olympics closing ceremony, leading a troupe of 200 ballerinas. Bussell has also authored several books, including the popular children’s series “Magic Ballerina” and autobiographical works. She continues to contribute to the dance community through her role as President of the Royal Academy of Dance since 2012 and her various patronages.
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