Then he tried the most loyal fans' patience by first presenting Fonteyn and her young new premier danseur in Giselleone of the most forgettable of all ballets.
Pablo Picasso designed the sets and costumes, and the choreography was by Leonide Massine, who succeeded Nijinsky as Diaghilev's premier danseur.
The veteran is the greatest Dane of them all, Erik Bruhn, who at 37 is the supreme danseur noble.
Mark Johnston in Sportinglife.com Johnston said: "It'll be a shame for Jamie if he loses it but it's been pretty exciting. He (Premier Danseur) wasn't the sharpest and Darryll said he'll get a bit further next year."