Agony And Ecstasy

Daria Klimentova has been one of Britain's best-loved ballerinas for two decades, having danced at Scottish Ballet and then - since 1996 - as a prima ballerina at English National Ballet. This is one woman's incredible story of the joys - and the price - of following her dreams.

Born in Czechoslovakia under iron Soviet rule, Daria Klimentova seemed just another to be destined to a life of bitter hopelessness. But after being talent spotted as a gymnast at the tender age of 5, all that would change. Now in her forties, an age at which most ballerinas have retired, Daria continues to captivate audiences with her impeccable technique and free flowing form. Her sizzling chemistry with Russian dancer Vadim Muntagirov, nearly 20 years her junior, has reignited the ballerina's career - and marks a metamorphosis after her Black Swan style torments depicted in BBC Four's gripping documentary series, Agony and Ecstasy. But it hasn't all been so smooth for Daria. Her incredible tenacity has seen her through some tough times; when her only brother, Radek, was killed in a motorcycle accident, she cried all day and then had to dance Giselle. her struggles with domineering choreographer Derek Deane actually threatened to derail her career as a dancer. But the hard times have given this remarkable woman a determination to enjoy life and keep ballet in perspective. In her wonderful autobiography, Daria reveals what life is like behind the curtain and how, with hard work and self-belief, you really can have it all.