MARKING HER MILESTONE WITH CELEBRITY FRIENDS SARA DAVIES ON EMBRACING BEING 40 AND THE VALUABLE LIFE LESSON SHE LEARNT FROM 'STRICTLY COME DANCING'

How does a woman who has everything celebrate her 40th birthday? For Sara Davies, it meant pulling out all the stops with teepees and bumper cars, bouncy castles and photo booths, plus a glitter bar, dressing - up box and balloons galore.

- ROSALIND POWELL

The Dragons’ Den judge – and founder of multi-million- pound company Crafter ’s Companion – didn’t scrimp on numbers either, inviting 300 family and friends from all areas of her life to the bash at Bradbury Glade , near Durham . University pals and fellow school mums, Strictly Come  Dancing stars and TV personalities all rubbed shoulders and strutted their stuff on the dancefloor.

“I’m a firm believer that you’re a product of the people you surround yourself with,” says Sara, who lives in Co. Durham with husband Simon and their two sons, Oliver, ten, and seven-year-old Charlie, who also joined the celebrations.

PALS FOREVER

“Everyone at the party told me how they’d chatted to people from other walks of life and how lovely they were. I had to keep saying: ‘Of course they are because I chose to let them into my life, just like I’ve chosen to let you into my life, so they must be as nice as you.’

“There was a supplier I’ve dealt with for 20 years and he was thrilled to be invited. I said: ‘You’re here because you’re my friend, Brian, not just because we’ve done business together.’”

Leading the celebrity cohort were former Strictly dance professionals Aljaz Skorjanec – Sara’s partner when she took part in the show in 2021 – and his wife Janette Manrara, together with their nine-month old daughter Lyra.

“Aljaz is always going to hold a special part in my heart as what we went through was incredible,” Sara says. “And Janette is a close friend. We go for dinner and have the conversation: ‘How do I juggle being a mum and having an amazing career?’”