Ballerina Darcey Bussell has played many roles in her life.
As a principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, Bussell wowed the audiences for almost two decades dancing roles including Sylvia, Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty.
Since retiring in 2007, the 40-year-old's repertoire has extended to include children's author, dancewear designer, and Strictly Come Dancing judge.
Sandwiched between veteran judges Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood, Bussell made her debut last week, giving her verdict on the quarter-finalists.
"I was very nervous," she laughs. "I've been a dancer all my life and I have plenty of things to say, but I was just happy I got my words out."
Dance styles
With little ballroom dancing experience, Bussell took Latin American dance lessons to prepare for her latest role. Other styles of dance, she explains, can be difficult for a professional ballerina.
While few people would compare the vibrant energy of Latin rhythms or the fast-paced foxtrot to classical ballet, Bussell says she found some surprising similarities.
 Bussell will appear on Strictly Come Dancing for three weeks |
"Classical ballet is very contrived, we are very fanatical about the technique, and position and the lines and everything and working with the Latin dancing coach I found it's all the same thing.
"The ballroom world is unbelievably contrived, how they hold themselves, how the hip sways and the heel - it's extraordinary.
"And I actually quite enjoyed all of that because it reminded me of my own world."
While the dancing may keep Bussell firmly in her comfort zone, the tabloid frenzy around Strictly is not something she is used to.
Ageism rows and rumours of affairs between contestants have been in the headlines, so does Bussell - who could never be described as tabloid fodder - fear being in the line of fire?
"I don't really care," she says with a smile. "I'm only there to give my view."
 |  I've worn some weird things on stage: boned bodices, net, and next to nothing!  Darcey Bussell |
Ensconced in Sydney, where she now lives with her banker husband Angus and their two daughters, Bussell says she was oblivious to the voracious coverage.
"At first I didn't appreciate how often it is in the papers, I didn't appreciate all the dramas and everything," she says.
"It was quite nice doing my homework from Australia and going through the DVDs and looking at how the celebrities' journeys were in the show."
Away from Strictly, Bussell is on the board of the contemporary dance Sydney Dance Company, and early next year will launch P&O's latest cruise ship.
 Bussell recently launched her own line of dancewear for children |
With a sell-out show with mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins and a series of children's books under her belt, Bussell has now turned her hand to design with a range of girls' dancewear.
The pink-sequined fairy tutus, ballet shoes, leotards, crowns and magic wands are sure to go down well with her legions of ballet-crazed fans.
"For me, pink cotton was a must. You have to make sure the dancers are comfortable wearing it, but you have to make sure it is fun too - the glittery and frillier the better!"
For Bussell, the range provides a hint to what she would like to turn her hand to next - costume design.
"I've worn some weird things on stage: boned bodices, net, and next to nothing!" she laughs.
"As a dancer you know exactly what you are happier in and I've always loved costume design.
"Working in the theatre world, when the designers would come in with these amazing pictures of the image they were trying to create, I was always totally taken into it and wanted to be really involved.
"Maybe one day I will."