Diane Buswell was photographed leaving the Strictly Come Dancing studios on Thursday evening after an 11-and-a-half-hour day in rehearsals. The 36-year-old professional, who recently announced she is expecting a baby boy with boyfriend Joe Sugg, was pictured departing the building with fellow dancer Vito Coppola.
Buswell arrived at the studio at 10 a.m. and was seen leaving around 9:21 p.m., wrapped up for the chill in a grey corduroy button-up shirt layered over a black satin shirt and a white T-shirt. She teamed the look with black jogging bottoms and off-white trainers and carried a Superdrug bag. Coppola cut a laid-back figure in a black T-shirt and grey shorts, pairing the casual ensemble with white sport socks and Adidas trainers, and he wore a large backpack as he left.
Insiders said there were concerns for Buswell's wellbeing amid what has been described as a gruelling schedule on Strictly this year. A Daily Mail insider said there are duty-of-care and welfare measures in place for everyone involved, with regular breaks and rest or warm-up periods, and that rehearsals were led by Buswell and tailored to the pace of her and her partner.
It was also noted that The Sun had reported a ten-hour marathon rehearsal, but insiders disputed that claim. The pair were not alone in leaving the studios: former dance partners Jowita Przystal and Pete Wicks were seen exiting separately. Przystal wore a black knit jumper under a black denim jacket with wide-leg trousers, while Wicks wore a mustard-yellow suede bomber jacket over a navy top and faded jeans and carried a large weekend bag.
Buswell's pregnancy was announced on Instagram last weekend, with the couple revealing that they are expecting a son and that the baby is due in 2026. Joe Sugg captioned the post, 'Our little baby boy ❤️ we cannot wait to meet you.' The post featured a playful, painting-themed reveal.
Buswell is believed to be the first-ever Strictly Come Dancing professional to compete on the show while pregnant, a milestone producers have underlined as they emphasize duty-of-care measures for the cast and crew as the series moves forward toward Christmas. The professional dancer has previously spoken about wanting to start a family, saying in May that she would love children, a sentiment she has now moved toward as she balances pregnancy with the demands of the BBC ballroom competition.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to screens this year with a lineup featuring a mix of Olympic athletes, actors, and reality personalities, and is expected to run through the weeks leading up to Christmas. Buswell, who won the Glitterball Trophy last year with partner Chris McCausland, remains a central figure in the show’s current season as she navigates rehearsals and performances while expecting.