This is a global original podcast from Classic FM.

Hello, I'm David Williams, and welcome to a very special episode of Walliams Undercover,

the show where I show a light on some of the darkest and most mysterious topics in our world today.

Last week's episode, Limes? Are They Just Lemons in Disguise, attracted a lot of interest.

And the answer, it seems, is no.

But tonight, we're looking at ballet.

Is it all just pink tutus and pretending to be swans?

Or is there a whole spectrum of weird and wonderful stories that the public doesn't know about?

Join me as I take you.

Beyond the Tutu.

Thank you. Beyond the Tutu. Ballet. We all know it. Or at least we think we do. Every year, millions of people head along to their

local ballatorium to enjoy performances of classics like The Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Simon Cowell,

tears of a badgerhead clown.

Sorry, David, it's producer Sally.

A few points, you made that last ballet up.

There's no such thing as a ballatorium, and this isn't called Walliams uncovered.

Please don't interrupt me when I'm about to uncover something.

You see, little to people know that the history of this elegant dance form

is a twisted tapestry of lies, deceit and hurty toes.

Ballet is a tough business.

That is Anna Pavlova, one of the most famous ballet dancers in history,

and the person that the tasty dessert, Pavlova, was named after.

...