Bussell set to be Strictly judge (From Enfield Independent)

Bussell set to be Strictly judge

9:16am Wednesday 25th April 2012 in National News © Press Association 2013

Former ballerina Darcey Bussell is poised to sign as a new judge for BBC1's Strictly Come Dancing, it has been announced.

The ex-principal dancer for the Royal Ballet is being lined up as the replacement for Alesha Dixon, who quit the show earlier this year.

Bussell, 42, was the best-known face in ballet for many years and has previously been a guest panellist on Strictly.

A BBC source confirmed they were in advanced negotiations with the star and she is expected to sign a deal shortly.

Bussell is also well-known to young fans through her series of children's books, The Magic Ballerina.

She retired from ballet five years ago with a performance at the Royal Opera House broadcast live on BBC2.

But she has continued to perform, notably with her theatre tour alongside singer Katherine Jenkins, Viva La Diva. She even took to the dance-floor when she appeared on Strictly in 2009.

Bussell is expected to be joined by regular judges Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Len Goodman.

Dixon quit the show after being lured by Simon Cowell to join the panel for ITV's Britain's Got Talent.