Having a baby? it was tutu easy!

And most women aren't stepping back into major solo roles with the English National Ballet.

But Simone Clarke, who gave birth to baby Olivia 11 months ago, makes it all sound so easy.

Simone, who will be dancing the main role in Cinderella with the ENB in Manchester next week, said: "It wasn't too difficult coming back after having Simone -- no worse than having been on holiday.

"I never really got out of shape.

"I stopped getting up on stage when I was six months' pregnant, but I continued to come in to do classes and I exercised to keep in shape.

"I was in doing classes the day I had her.

"I took two weeks off without doing anything, then I started getting back into it again.

"It was all quite easy."

So far, so straightforward. But caring for Olivia since her birth has proved rather more taxing for Simone, 33, and her partner, ENB principal dancer Yat Sen Chang.

Simone explained: "It would be impossible to look after her if my parents weren't around.

"Even if I wasn't working, it would be so demanding to look after her by myself.

"It's much easier to go to work.

"We have Olivia with us as much as we can, but I don't think we could take her on tour with us.

"Maybe before she goes to school she could come with us, if one of us wasn't too busy."

Leeds-born Simone met Cuban Yat through the ENB five years ago.

She said: "Our personalities just clicked. We just knew, straight away."

So, from her own personal fairytale romance, Simone turns to the part of Cinderella

She said: "It's probably the most difficult role I have ever danced.

"Technically it's very difficult and the character is very subtle.

"It's difficult to play her without coming across as completely incapable and weak.

"But I'm enjoying rehearsing it.

"It's one of those ballets people like because it's a fairytale.

"And children, in particular, love it."

Catch Simone in Cinderella at the Palace Theatre, Manchester, between October 15 and 18. For tickets call (0870) 4016000.