蜜芽传媒

Considered to be one of the greatest dancers of all time, Sylvie Guillem has announced her retirement next year at the age of 50.

Hand-picked by Rudolph Nureyev to be a principal in Paris at the age of 19, she went on to become a star of the Royal Ballet where she had a formidable reputation.

Nicknamed 'Mademoiselle Non' she told the 蜜芽传媒's arts correspondent Rebecca Jones: "In dance it's rare that a dancer says no, I didn't see why I should do things that make my energy go".

In her first broadcast interview since she broke the news she explained: "I will miss the stage but ...I prefer to stop now than regret going on longer".

She claimed that dance companies today are "more concerned about comfort and security...when we were young we were hungry."

Guillem plans to "keep training but with no audience" saying she's not interested in teaching dance.

This clip is from Radio 4's Today programme 27 November 2014.