Royal Ballet star Eric Underwood talks London life, pre-show nerves and Michelle Obama

Eric Underwood is the toast of both the dance and fashion worlds. Until recently he was a soloist with the Royal Ballet, but David Bailey has also photographed him in the nude and he's done shoots with Kate Moss for Italian Vogue.

The 33-year-old who grew up in Washington DC and trained as a ballet dancer in New York says he loves living in London because of its multiculturalism. “It’s a city full of everyone, in New York there’s different New Yorkers or Americans, whereas here I feel it’s a real melting pot of everybody" he says, "London is a celebration of independence and people are allowed to be unique."

Despite dipping into the fashion industry, dancing is Eric's true passion. "I started dancing when I fell out the womb" he jokes, crediting his mum as the driving force behind his success.“I'm a Mamma's Boy. I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who was more encouraging and I completely trust her.”

After he hangs up his ballet shoes, is he gunning for a job as a judge on one of his favourite TV shows, Strictly Come Dancing?

“I’m excited for new beginnings and hopefully you’ll see me in a different light" he says cryptically, “I’m often seen and not heard in modelling and dancing, and now I’m focusing on my voice, I look forward to sharing that side of myself."

Watch this space.