Francesca Hayward

“For a long time everyone had a stereotype of ballet that it was easy and that we were just prancing around. But thanks to the Internet, and being able to share live performances and broadcast them to the world so that everyone can experience the ballet, I think it's inspiring people we wouldn't normally be able to reach.”

“Manon' still feels like it didn't really happen, because it is such a mammoth ballet and I can't believe I did that.”

“I learned after a while that you are the only one who can take care of yourself.”

“It's just very surreal for someone who doesn't sing in public to suddenly be singing with Jennifer Hudson.”

“I'm rubbish at maths but I would like to have been a pilot.”

“I feel that while my body's able and I'm young, I'd have so many regrets if I didn't go for it now with the ballet, because that's everything I've always wanted to do.”

“I love all of the ballets that have a really strong story in them where I get to play a character. I don't enjoy the ones that are more technical without a story line and it's just me on stage dancing.”

“When I found out that I was going be Juliet, it felt much more real than 'Manon,' because 'Manon' is one of those ballets that you probably do after Juliet, so that never really sunk in to be honest.”

“Sometimes I wonder if people really want my smelly old shoes, but some people seem quite thrilled by them. So I'm like, OK, well, this is something you can't buy, so there you go.”

“I would love to be a fashion designer but that's easier said than done.”

“When I was a wee baby, if I heard any music, I would just get up in my buggy or my pram and start bobbing around.”

“I've loved CATS since I was a child - particularly the role of Victoria, so when the opportunity to audition came about I was very interested.”

“When I was younger, in my living room, I used to put 'Cats' the stage musical video on and I used to copy Victoria.”

“It's not a normal every day thing to see yourself with fur, but I loved it.”

“In ballet, it doesn't matter who you are. If you're good, it's such a rare thing, so unusual, that the talent will go wherever you want it to go.”

“I was a waitress at a local pub. I was really bad with money and it taught me the value of it as I was on minimum wage.”

“It's very British of me, but I'll always choose beer over anything else.”

“I've had to learn not be freaked out by big roles... and to take it all one step at a time, quite literally.”

“Since the E.U. referendum I've been keen to know more and be a bit more active. It highlighted how important politics is to our lives.”

“When I was younger I used to dance to lots of ballet videos.”