British ballet gets tights in a twist over advert

Britain's Royal Ballet has been accused of "cheapening" dance with an advertisement featuring a close-up portrait of a smouldering male dancer accompanied by the tagline: "Superheroes really do wear tights".

The photograph of 31-year-old principal dancer Ed Watson appears on the new brochure for the autumn season at the Royal Ballet and Royal Opera.



"Superhuman," it reads. "Meet Ed. Fact: When he's dancing, pound for pound, he's stronger than a rhino."

The image will soon appear in newspaper advertisements and on London Underground posters, to the consternation of some people who believe it will seriously damage the reputation of the company