Now, Wayne Sleep, 76, the virtuoso dancer and self-styled "pocket Apollo", has written about his extraordinary life in a new memoir, Just Different, recounting his transition from classical ballet to mainstream showbusiness and becoming a household name.
There are anecdotes and tantalising gossip about his friendships with celebrities and royal figures, as well as dancing with Rudolf Nureyev, but his book - as effervescent and entertaining as the man himself - also revisits more sombre occasions when he felt, at times, that he was an outsider.
At 5ft 2in, he was the shortest principal dancer ever to join the Royal Ballet; as a gay man, he also encountered the prejudices of his generation. It is a story, he says, about overcoming obstacles and "turning disadvantage into advantage".
In this exclusive interview with HELLO!, Wayne, who lives in London with his husband José Bergera, talks us through some of the photos and highlights of his dazzling career.
PLAYING PUCK
Wayne performed with the Royal Ballet in the 1960s and 1970s, considered the golden era of the company, alongside legendary members such as Anthony Dowell, Lynn Seymour, Christopher Gable and Rudolf Nureyev, who became a friend.
Although never cast as the romantic lead - "I was always animals or children", he says he nevertheless became a star, revered for his jumps, leaps and spins. Audiences and critics loved his scene-stealing role as Puck (left), in Sir Frederick Ashton's The Dream.
"A small, sprightly and mischievous little creature, Puck was the perfect part for me," he writes.
"I loved Puck," he tells us, "and Sir Frederick let me change some of the steps for it, because I could act as well." Underused by the company, he was able to moonlight on other projects for film, stage and TV while a member.
DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY AND LIZA MINNELLI
This story is from the November 11, 2024 edition of HELLO! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the November 11, 2024 edition of HELLO! UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
STARS TURN OUT FOR THE EARTHSHOT PRIZE THE PRINCE OF WALES ROYAL HEADS TO CAPE TOWN FOR PRESTIGIOUS AWARDS CEREMONY
The Prince of Wales's love for Africa is well known: it is where he spent his gap year before heading to university.
FAMOUS NAMES TURN OUT FOR HALLOWEEN FRIGHT NIGHT STARS GO THE EXTRA MILE FOR SPOOKY STYLE
It may have been spooky season, but that was no excuse for stylish celebrities to abandon their sartorial flair.
BIDDING A BITTERSWEET FAREWELL TO 'VENOM' TRILOGY TOM HARDY ON FLYING HIGH, LOSING HIS TEMPER AND BEING INSPIRED IN HIS CHILLING MARVEL ROLE BY SON LOUIS
When Tom Hardy attended the UK premiere of Venom: The Last Dance in London, he was accompanied by a very special fan.
STARRING IN A NEW LOVE STORY WITH LIAM HEMSWORTH LAURA DERN TALKS OF THEIR CONNECTION - AND WHY VULNERABLE WOMEN ARE SUPERHEROES
The beautiful and dramatic scenery of Morocco's Atlas Mountains is the backdrop for Laura Dern's new film Lonely Planet, a love story in which she plays novelist Katherine opposite Liam Hemsworth's private equity hotshot Owen.
GRANDDAUGHTER OF LADY PAMELA HICKS MADDISON MAY BRUDENELL AND BRET KAPETANOV UNITE THEIR DIFFERENT WORLDS! IN SOCIETY COUNTRY WEDDING
In a heartwarming ceremony filled with love, Lady Pamela Hicks's granddaughter Maddison May Brudenell said: \"I will\" at a 15th-century village church in one of the most extraordinary society weddings of the year - and HELLO! was there to witness the historic occasion.
SPEAKING OUT IN POWERFUL NEW DOCUMENTARY THE QUEEN SHOWS HER PASSIONATE COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THEIR FAMILIES
The Queen has vowed to keep fighting for victims of domestic saying: Keep until I am able to no more.\"
PRINCESS BEATRICE AND NUTRITIONIST GABRIELA PEACOCK
HOW THE FRIENDS ARE SHARING THEIR PREGNANCY JOURNEY TOGETHER
AMERICA'S STYLE ELITE IS OUT IN FORCE FASHION'S FINEST A-LISTERS DIAL UP THE GLAMOUR TO HONOUR TOP DESIGNERS IN NEW YORK
Hollywood stars rubbed shoulders with New York's style elite as America's fashion industry gathered to honour some of its top designers.
LEGENDARY DANCER WAYNE SLEEP REFLECTS ON A LIFE IN THE SPOTLIGHT AND HOW BALLET LED HIM INTO SHOWBIZ
He has danced with some of the greatest legends of ballet, partied with the biggest names in showbusiness and performed with royalty.
SPORTY, INTELLIGENT AND SHOWING AN IMPRESSIVE SENSE OF STYLE LADY LOUISE SHINES LIKE A JEWEL IN THE ROYAL CROWN AS SHE TURNS 21
As she celebrates her 21st birthday this week, Lady Louise Mountbatten Windsor is growing up into an engaging young woman.