Bonnie Lythgoe: Five places that changed my life

PORTUGAL

When I was nine my family visited the grandparents in the beautiful town of Sintra. I fell in love with the people and the language. Every night we would visit the beautiful Night Fair, watch the national Portuguese dancing and eat sardines. When I was 16 I had my first Portuguese boyfriend. On my birthday he gave me a hedgehog as a present. My heart still misses a beat every time I arrive in Portugal and now I have a home there where I can relax and go eat sardines.

NEW ZEALAND

At the age of 22 I was asked to go to New Zealand with the BBC UK to be the assistant choreographer to the New Zealand Ballet Company. What I didn't know was Gene Kelly was starring in the production. I arrived after a very long journey from London and met the dancers and then went to dinner to meet Gene Kelly. It was amazing and I thank the day I was able to work with this brilliant man.

AUSTRALIA

Australia changed my life. I had been working in America on So You Think You Can Dance and was in Australia visiting family when I had a phone call to go to Sydney as they were making the series there. I had been going through a very difficult time in my life so I decided to take the opportunity and do SYTYCD in Australia. It was the best decision I have ever made. It helped me through my uncertain times and the people made me feel alive again. Australia has become my second home and I thank you all for making that happen.

SOUTH AFRICA

This is hard to believe but South Africa is a big love in my life because of I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! I never wanted to go there as it kind of scared me but the chance came along and I took it. Flying into Johannesburg was a thrill and then I was taken up into a helicopter and dropped 10,000 feet into the South African jungle.

ENGLAND

My first love, my first home. Green fields, British gardens and so much history – the Tower of London, Buckingham Palace and Harrods. Nothing was more exciting than driving into London in my Mini and lining up to get tickets to see the Beatles. I waited four hours and skipped school that day as well. London is my life and has given me so much. From working at the BBC to getting a part in the film To Sir with Love, meeting incredible people like Sidney Poitier, Sean Connery, my friend Sir Cliff Richard and performing in front of the Queen. The theatres in London are packed with people happy and excited to be seeing a show and at Christmas there is no other place to be.

Bonnie Lythgoe is the producer of The Adventures of Peter Pan and Tinker Bell, on at Melourne's Comedy Theatre from July 21. See marrinergroup.com.au