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Darcey Bussell quits Strictly Come Dancing after seven years as a judge
The acclaimed ballerina made the shock announcement in a statement today
DAME Darcey Bussell has sensationally quit Strictly Come Dancing as a judge.
The 49-year-old ballerina has been on the judging panel of the hit BBC dancing show for seven years.
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But in a statement Darcey announced she would not be returning for the 2019 series.
She said: "It has been a complete privilege for me to be part of Strictly, working with such a talented team.
"I have enjoyed every minute of my time and will miss everyone from my fellow judges, the presenters, the dancers, the musicians, the entire back stage team, and especially the viewers of the show, who have been so supportive.
"I am not leaving because of any upset or disagreement at all, I am just stepping away to give more focus to my many other commitments in dance, after seven truly wonderful years that I can’t imagine having gone any better.
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"I know I will miss being part of this unique show and the fact that it celebrates dance is something I am so passionate about. I hope that I may be very lucky to be asked back again one day."
Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman was one of the first to pay tribute to Darcey, tweeting: "We love you Darcey. You'll be so so missed. Xx".
Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said of Darcey's decision: “It has been an absolute honour to have Darcey, a national treasure and British dance icon, bring her passion for dance and her graceful presence to the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel for seven consecutive years.
"She will be thoroughly missed by us all and will of course remain part of the Strictly family in the future.”
Meanwhile Suzy Lamb, MD of Entertainment and Music at BBC Studios said: "We feel very fortunate to have had Darcey on the Strictly judging panel for seven glorious years.
"Her exceptional knowledge of dance and generous spirit have helped many a celebrity keep dancing. "Darcey is much loved by the entire Strictly family and I know will be missed in both the ballroom and in sitting rooms across the country."
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Darcey joined the show in 2012, replacing Alesha Dixon, having previously appeared as a guest judge in 2009 series.
During the 2018 series, she sat alongside head judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli.
Darcey is widely acclaimed as one of the great British ballerinas, having become a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet at the age of 20.
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