Darcey Bussell speaks for the first time about leaving Strictly Come Dancing and says she ‘just knew’ it was time to go
HER shock Strictly Come Dancing departure left fans and even producers scratching their heads as to why Darcey Bussell really left the show.
But speaking for the first time about her exit, the former prima ballerina told The Sun: “It is not a decision that came easily at all.
“But I knew I had the most amazing time for seven years and it is like pushing your luck to think that I could even do another seven years.
“So I just knew it was time for me to finish and to give that place for somebody else to judge on that wonderful show.”
The Sun told last month how Darcey came to her decision after not being given a pay rise and becoming fed up with the BBC1 show’s sleazy antics after a series of affairs.
It’s also telling that she says she wants her two daughters to remember her for her dancing career, rather than the BBC1 show.
Talking in Norwich at the launch of her new book Evolved, featuring photos of Darcey during her career, she said: “I do have boxes and boxes of memorabilia. I think it comes from everywhere you perform, as I have been so fortunate to perform around the world.
“I do it for my daughters, as I want them to remember me as a classical dancer and not just a judge on Strictly.”
Darcey also reveals she “partied hard” for her birthday last week. She said: “I was 50 so you have got to do that. I drank a little too much champagne.”
Unfortunately, that is probably the most exciting thing Darcey has done in years — so it was probably time for her to say bye-bye.
Time for Church lesson
MOST celebrities would give anything to escape the endless attention that comes with being famous.
Charlotte Church will do exactly that as part of a new Channel 4 one-off documentary later in the year.
Charlotte Church: My Family & Me will see the singer and her mum and dad hide away from society as they move to a far-flung part of the UK for five days. They will confront the tensions
Charlotte’s sudden fame during the Nineties created in the family. She said: “There’s a lot of stuff we’ve never talked about – and the prospect of doing that is both terrifying and enthralling.”
Unprecedented access to the Churches will provide viewers with an intimate portrait of a family sharing tears, laughter and uncomfortable home truths.
I imagine there might be a few people pleased to see Charlotte banished.
bizbit
EX-CORRIE actress Jane Hazlegrove is to return to the soap in July after 34 years.
But she will not reprise her role as Sue Clayton.
She will play Paul and Gemma Winter’s estranged mum Bernie.
Owe dear, Gary
HE’S the very, very well-paid host of Match Of The Day – but clearly no one has told Gary Lineker‘s employers his new address.
The former England striker now the BBC’s highest-earning employee, bought four flats and converted them into one big home. But despite being one of the faces of the Beeb, he says he is constantly pestered by angry bosses chasing his licence-fee payment.
He said: “I get a letter every month because they’ve still got it in their books as four apartments. So I get a letter for each: ‘You’ve not paid your licence fee, we are going to come round and bang on your door.’
“And every time I get these letters, I’ve called them, loads of times, and said: ‘No, this is the circumstances, it’s all changed, just check, it’s fine, it’s me. Do you think I’m not going to pay my licence fee?’
“I’ve had them knocking on the door.”
Megan the hamster thief
MEGAN Barton-Hanson is in the middle of a bust-up with fellow Love Island star Charlie Brake after stealing his pet hamster Khaleesi – as The Sun revealed yesterday.
But she put the drama behind her to party at London’s Tramp nightclub into the early hours of yesterday.
Charlie’s pet has now gone missing at Meg’s pad. She was also accused of taking a hamster she shared with Love Islander ex Wes Nelson earlier this year.
They’ll have her picture up in Pets at Home at this rate.
soapbox
WILL is worried Dawn’s heart isn’t fully set on his plan to ruin Harriet’s life in Emmerdale.
MOST READ IN BIZARRE
His daughter desperately tries to persuade him that she’s 100 per cent on his side, but he doesn’t believe her. He sets Dawn a test to prove her loyalty to him and, you’ve got to hand it to Will, it’s certainly going to do that.
Over on Eastenders and, as Billy’s 60th birthday party approaches, Honey is still decidedly icy with him thanks to Lola’s interference.
Lola decides there’s nothing for it but to make a public confession in The Vic to try to rectify her mistake. Sean is horrified when Jen cuts her leg badly in an accident – leaving her life hanging in the balance.
- GOT a story? RING The Sun on 0207 782 4104 or WHATSAPP on 07423720250 or EMAIL exclusive@the-sun.co.uk