Ballerina, born in London, UK. She studied at the Arts Educational School and the Royal Ballet School, joining Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet (now Birmingham Royal Ballet) in 1987. The following year she moved to the Royal Ballet as soloist, becoming first soloist (1989), then principal dancer (1989). Kenneth MacMillan created roles for her, such as Masha in Winter Dreams (1991). Twyla Tharp created a principal role for her in Mr Worldly Wise (1995) and choreographer Glen Tetley created Amores for her in 1997. She has made guest appearances internationally for various companies. In late 2005 she announced her retirement as principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, but remains as guest dancer.
After studying at the Arts Educational School, Bussell began ballet seriously only at the age of 13 when she moved to White Lodge in the Royal Ballet School.
Whilst still at school, the choreographer Kenneth MacMillan had noticed her talent, and in 1988 he gave her the leading role in his ballet The Prince of the Pagodas to Benjamin Britten's music, causing her to move to The Royal Ballet.
Her many roles include Masha in Winter Dreams and Princess Rose in The Prince of the Pagodas, both choreographed by MacMillan, as well as Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, Nikiya and Gamzatti in La Bayadère, the Sugar Plum Fairy in The Nutcracker, Manon in Manon, and the title role in Giselle.
In 1990 she received the Evening Standard Ballet Award, the 'Sir James Garreras Award for Most Promising Newcomer' from the Variety Club and 'Dancer of the Year' from Dance &
Bussell has been married since 1997 to Angus Forbes, an Australian banker.
She guest starred in the popular BBC1 Comedy The Vicar of Dibley as herself.
She has announced that she will retire as a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet in 2006 because of injuries to her body and physical stress.
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