In rehearsal, Peter gave me great freedom to make the role in Scarlet Pastorale my own as it had been originally created for another dancer. The performance remains as one of the highlights of my career memories and I was sorry that as it was a one-off Gala appearance there was only one opportunity to appear in the ballet.

Soon after forming The London City Ballet in 1978 I approached Peter Darrell to ask if he would be kind enough to sell us his production of Othello for a nominal fee. He agreed but to my surprise he refused to be paid and staged the production himself. His encouragement and generosity astounded me. He also gave me my first opportunities to choreograph for The Scottish Ballet. I am proud to be one of the founder members of his Company.

I have an enormous amount to thank Peter for. He encouraged my choreographic development at every juncture. I certainly wouldn't be doing what I am now if it wasn't for him. He was so often right. He once told me I should get on with it or I would be fat and forty before I knew it and I am! That sounds silly but it did make me realise that I should grasp the nettle. I feel honoured to have been part of Peter Darrell's era and for him to feel that I had something worth consideration.