Darcey Bussell's Royal Opera House book signing

Former Royal Ballet Principal and current ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judge Darcey Bussell will be signing copies of her book, Darcey Bussell: A Life in Pictures, at the Royal Opera House Shop on on 17 December from 3.15-4.15pm. This is a fantastic opportunity to meet Darcey in her former professional home, the prestigious and grand Royal Opera House in Covent Garden. The book takes a look back at Darcey's extensive and impressive career through beautiful images taken by a number of photographers, including Mario Testino and Bryan Adams. Now the President of the Royal Academy of Dance Darcey has by no means shied away from her dancing shoes following her retirement from The Royal Ballet in 2007, following her final performance of Kenneth MacMillan's Song of the Earth, which has great personal resonance for Darcey. Darcey danced with The Royal Ballet from 1988 to 2007 and was made a Principal aged just 20 in 1989. She danced the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker on a number of occasions, as well as other iconic roles such as Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and Giselle in Giselle. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Thw553snr0 Darcey's current role as a judge on the panel of BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing sees her engage less with classical ballet and more with foxtrots, rumbas and cha cha chas. Darcey has previously spoken of her love of the glamorous dresses she is able to wear on the show, passing on tips and critiquing the contestants' performances. The signing follows Darcey presenting the live cinema relay of The Royal Ballet’s Nutcracker on 12 December. Darcey Bussell: A Life in Pictures is on sale from the ROH Shop priced £16.99