One of the most memorable phrases he used on that occasion was, “no one is ever lonely in a dance class”.

This is a comment I know to be true, and it came back to me the other day when I was having a conversation after a ballet class I go to, and very much enjoying the company of the other participants.

A group of us were chatting about how much it meant to us.

Then I learned that three members of the class were widows, which led to us reflecting how ballet had helped us through grief, loss and isolation.

One of the women told me she had been totally devastated by the death of her husband but that various relatives had suggested she take up ballet as she had enjoyed it so much in her younger years.

Initially, she wasn’t in the mood to do it. She felt too sad and lacking in energy, and some days barely able to get out of bed.

However, her family persisted and cajoled her into giving it a try and now she credits dance with having propelled her life into a period of renewed purpose and contentment. And she has more friends.

Perhaps more of us should dance when we’re grieving.

Interestingly, when I was preparing to write this column, I came across a BBC report about two........

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