You joined the Royal Ballet in 2002, at the age of 21. Are you the baby?

There are a lot of young people in the company, but not in principal positions. It’s a lot of responsibility to lead the company as principal dancer; I’m lucky to have this chance at 26.

Ever get stressed?

Yes, it’s tough, but good tough. There are a lot of eyes on you. I like that pressure though. Of course, we suffer a bit; before a premiere you don’t sleep well, for example, but that’s par for the course.

Must be hard to dance if you haven’t slept well.

You get used to it. The other day we flew at 5am to Italy, got to Treviso at 2pm, went straight to the theatre, then performed at 7pm. You just try to calm yourself as much as possible.

Any preshow tricks to get in the zone?

I concentrate, thinking about what I’m doing here, and that always makes me feel good. Sometimes I go on stage before the show and look at the theatre. It gets me in a good state of mind.

There’s no doubt you’re a bit of a stud. Are you aware of your female fan base?

Not really. I haven’t taken particular notice of that... I have a different look from the European guys as I’m from Rio de Janeiro.

Maybe it’s your fiery Latin spirit?

Well, Brazilians do have that warm style of life. The way I move has something to do with where I come from – a little more soul and emotion comes into what we do.

You share a stage with your fiancée Marianela Núñez. Does it cause tension?

No. It’s fantastic.

Do you bring your passion for each other to the stage?

We bring a lot of ourselves to the performance – you can really see our personalities. Also, she’s an amazing dancer. I learn a lot from her.

Ballet’s known for its body perfectionists. Does that describe you?

I care about my body. At the end of the day, ballet is very aesthetic; people like to see you in good shape. I’m not a maniac about my biceps, but I like having them.

Indeed. Throwing ballerinas around as though they were feather-weights must be harder than it looks.

Yes. To make the dream pas de deux takes a lot of strength – very strong back, shoulders, legs and arms. Even if you’re good in the gym, it’s very hard to lift a ballerina in a certain position. It’s not just about strength, but about coordination.

How do you train for that?

Well, at the school in Brazil the girls were bigger, and because we learnt with heavier, more muscular girls,I was used to a little more weight. Also we train a lot.

Hectic schedule?

We arrive at work at 9.30am, warm up until 10.30am, rehearse until 6.30pm, then do a show at 7.30pm.

Ever get a day off?

Not often.

Ever get run down?

I take supplements and vitamins to stop that, but sometimes you do get flu. And then you still have to go on and perform.

Poor you, how awful!

Well, because of adrenalin you don’t feel anything. As soon as the curtains go up, you forget your flu.

Had any hard knocks?

Last summer I needed rehabilitation for two months, the first time I really hurt myself. I snapped my plantar fascia, the broad band of fibrous tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It was very painful, but I have recovered now.

And the rest of the time you’re fit as a fiddle?

No; dancers always have something. I had a rib that was out of place for nine months, though I kept dancing. Recently I saw a really good osteopath and he put it back. If you don’t have a pain as a dancer, you’re not alive.

Ever pop any pills?

I’ve taken painkillers. But they aren’t good for you.

Is food fuel or fun?

Both. I eat a lot. Every day I eat a lot of bananas, about six; and I eat a lot of prawns. I eat steak or pasta after a show. If we’re not performing, I’ll make a proper dinner – lamb or something. And I have chocolate afterwards, too.

Any vices?

I drink. I love caipirinhas, Brazil’s national drink. It’s made from sugar cane. It always does me good.

Do you plan to pirouette into old age?

I hope to dance for as long as I can. Some people go until 35; some until 45. I hope I can stay until I’m 45.

And then?

I don’t know. Sometimes I think of the future, but right now I’m really enjoying what I’m doing and I can’t really imagine doing anything else.

Thiago Soares is appearing in The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House. Visit roh.org.uk ; or call 020-7304 4000

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