RETIRING
from the Royal Ballet after 17 years, Cuban-born Carlos Acosta, 42, receives a 20-minute standing ovation at the end of a production of Carmen. It’s pointed out — rather unnecessarily, surely — that this was 12 minutes longer than that enjoyed by Darcey Bussell (right) when she retired in 2007. If so, no doubt Ms Bussell is consoled by her subsequent appointment to the judging team of Strictly Come Dancing.