Quotes from Darcey Bussell

Before a show, I usually give myself two-and-a-half hours to get ready. I prepare my shoes first. New ballet pumps can sound like tap shoes. You have to take the noise out of them by hitting them against stone. It takes half an hour to do each pair, and I can go through three pairs in one night.

Keeping off wheat helps my energy levels.

For me, in my life, dyslexia has been a little bit of a blessing. It helped me find my strength and directed me towards what I really wanted to do.

I worked very hard to be a diva. But it never worked.

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

It is entertainment; we mustn't forget that. Dance is entertainment. You can have the best technicians in the world, but they'll be boring to watch. It has to be about entertainment as well, but it's quality, grace.

I dye my hair, and I use teeth whitening strips. Unless I burnt myself or damaged my skin, I wouldn't have cosmetic surgery.

I don't see anything negative about dance. It is so good for you, mentally and physically, and so for me to promote it is the easiest thing to do.

I know some people aspire to a ballerina's body, but I looked forward to feeling more feminine.

If I start something, I have to finish it. I know that's annoying - it drives my husband mad - but even if something's not going my way, I have to see it through.

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

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

Being a full-time mother is one of the biggest jobs in the world; it's like another career for me. I love every moment of it - even the challenge of making cupcakes.

The hardest thing about 'Strictly' is having to sit still for so long; it just about kills me.

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

Life is short, so go for things you enjoy.

I need to have dark chocolate in the cupboard - Green & Black's is good, but any will do.

When I had kids, I had to work out how to keep my stamina up. I learned the power of protein and eating a variety of foods.

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.

When I was a teenager, I used to watch the 'Making Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'' video and try to follow the steps and do the 'Thriller' moves in my bedroom. That was the most incredible dance sequence.

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.

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

For every dancer, no matter how amazing your career, there's more to life than ballet. Being adored by your audience, it's only part of the story.

Even after having children, after five months I was dancing again, which was kind of crazy.