Sylvie’s false start - August 04
Sylvie Guillem will not start her season at the Royal Opera House.

The celebrated ballet star has suffered an injury to her ankle, which means she will be unable to dance for the remaining shows of Stories of Love and Passion at the Royal Opera House. Originally Sylvie expected to return to the stage before the end of the run but was disappointed when doctors informed her that she would need to rest for a further three weeks. Tickets, which cost anything up to £75 will be refunded. Get well soon Sylvie!

Sylvie Guillem honoured - 31/12/02
French dancer Sylvie Guillem, described as the world’s most feted ballerina, is made an honorary CBE, 13 years after she joined the Royal Ballet as its principal guest artist.


Sylvie, the daughter of a garage mechanic and a gym teacher, grew up with three older brothers in Paris’s 11th arrondissement. She joined the Paris Opera Ballet at 11 and her rise was meteoric - at 19 she was made étoile (principal). She left following a legendary row with Nureyev (who once said she was the only woman he could have married) to join the Royal Ballet.

In London, dancers complained that she was too snooty to join them in the cafeteria. A princess with a shard of ice in her heart, she now enjoys more privileges than any other dancer: she picks the ballet, the orchestra and her partner. She is dating photographer Gilles Tapie and is the wrist of Rolex.