PA
Strictly Come Dancing judge Darcey Bussell has revealed how she was beaten by girl bullies at school – but the experience made her stronger.
The 43-year-old ballet dancer said she was picked on because other girls resented her 'happy-go-lucky' nature and the fact she got along with boys easily.
She told the Mail on Sunday: "At primary school I was beaten up by the girls in my own year.
"I think they resented the fact that I was happy-go-lucky and because I was something of a tomboy.
"I made friends easily with all the boys.
"I look back at the bullying and, while it was horrible to deal with at the time, I don't see it as all negative, it taught me that not everybody is going to like me in life."
Darcey, who has two daughters, spent 20 years at the Royal Ballet before announcing her retirement in 2006, since when she has had a varied career including television presenting and modelling clothes. She came out of retirement to dance in the Olympic closing ceremony, when she flew into the stadium on a flaming phoenix.