Darcey Bussell Guest Judge for Strictly Come Dancing

Former Royal Ballet ballerina Darcey Bussell is to join the autumn series of Strictly Come Dancing as a guest judge for the last three weeks of the run. She will also appear on It Takes Two, the BBC2 Strictly spin-off show.

Bussell retired from The Royal Ballet in 2007 and moved to Australia with her husband and two daughters. However, she has retained a profile in the dance world, performing in her own show Viva la Diva with opera singer Katherine Jenkins, as well as penning her Magic Ballerina book series and attending a gala for the  Royal Ballet School in Richmond Park where a studio has been named in her honor. She is also on the Board of  Sydney Dance Company.

Jay Hunt, Controller of BBC1, said: “Darcey has impeccable credentials as a dancer and, as a guest judge, she will bring an exciting new dimension to the last few weeks of the Strictly competition.”

Bussell added: “It is a real pleasure to have been invited to join Strictly Come Dancing. It is a fantastic show and I’m looking forward to getting to know the dancers and being part of the excitement.”