Fonteyn’s story of Panamanian revolution puts Bussell in the shade. Plus, Inside the Christmas Factory, with shouty Gregg Wallace and Cherry Healey
Towards the end of Darcey Bussell: Looking for Margot (BBC1), the Strictly judge and retired ballerina, finds herself in a remote cattle farm in Panama wearing one – a Panama hat. This is where fellow ballerina Margot Fonteyn lived towards the end of her life. “Margot wrote that this was the happiest time in her life,” says Darcy, looking around at the cows in a way that suggests she doesn’t spend a lot of time on farms. “I just can’t believe it, because this was so far away from anything that she knew.”
Why not, Darcey? Perhaps that’s precisely why Margot was happy here. And she was with the man she loved, had loved for most of her life, even if he hadn’t always been good to her. Now she was his carer, after an assassination attempt had left him paralysed from the neck down. An old accounts book Darcey has got hold of makes poignant reading. Repair wheelchair tyre – $1, to clear overdraft – $16.32. Even though Margot danced on for much longer than she should have – 20 years longer than Darcey did – all the money was gone.
Continue reading...