Strictly Come Dancing's Darcey Bussell explains why she quit as a judge

Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell has explained the reasons behind her exit.

The former ballet dancer was a Strictly judge for seven years before her sudden departure in 2019. In an interview, she said that she felt her views and those of producers didn't align on how she was going to present herself in the studio.

"It was really hard because the producers on the show didn't want me to be the ballet dancer and I was like: 'Well, sadly I am, and I think you chose me because I am the ballet dancer,'" she told the Royal Academy of Dance podcast.

"I was always going to play myself, however much I was convinced that to look like and be like the ballet dancer wasn't the right thing," Bussell added.

"I was, like: 'Well, sorry, you're taking me as it is. This is how I look and this is how I'll act,'" she continued.

Digital Spy have reached out to the BBC for comment.

Bussell also said that being a judge and navigating Strictly's fast-paced studio was "hard" as she enjoyed taking time to reflect before expressing her professional opinion.

strictly come dancing – craig revel horwood, darcey bussell, shirley ballas and bruno tonioli, judges

Guy Levy//BBC

"It wasn't the easiest thing for me, because I wanted to still be the dancer on that dancefloor," she said.

"Being a judge full-time was hard, knowing that it's live and having the ability to be quick and responsive, because I like to think and take my time."

For one week only, Strictly Come Dancing airs on Friday (December 2) at 8pm on BBC One, with a results show on Saturday (December 3) at 5.40pm. Spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows also stream on BBC iPlayer.

Interested in talking about Strictly Come Dancing? Visit our dedicated sub-forum.

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Stefania Sarrubba

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Stefania is a freelance writer specialising in TV and movies. After graduating from City University, London, she covered LGBTQ+ news and pursued a career in entertainment journalism, with her work appearing in outlets including Little White Lies, The Skinny, Radio Times and Digital Spy.

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