Egyptian dancer quashes rumours of retirement

Dina Talaat, the high-profile Egyptian dancer has put rumours surrounding her retirement to rest, telling Arabstoday in an exclusive interview that it was an April fool’s joke published without her permission. The starlet refused to participate in the prank at the request of a journalist who wanted to publish the story.  She said "The reporter telephoned me and asked to run the story that I had retired for April fool’s day. But I told him no because I didn't want to worry people around me just for a joke.” Despite Dina rebuffing the offer, the journalist printed the rumour without her knowledge. “They ignored me and published the story, which everyone I know saw. I got so many calls asking what had happened and why I’d made the decision without telling them,” she said. The starlet expressed her frustration about the reports, saying they had caused her great distress, and told people not to pay attention to them. She added: “I love my job, leaving it hasn't crossed my mind once.”