Pregnant Dianne Buswell is reportedly barred from working with former co‑star Chris McCausland because her Strictly Come Dancing schedule has growing demands this autumn. Buswell, who announced she is expecting her first child with YouTuber Joe Sugg, is slated to return to the BBC dancing competition later this year and would be the first expectant contestant to compete on the show. McCausland, who partnered with Buswell to win last year’s Glitterball Trophy, said their Winning Isn’t Everything podcast is at risk if Buswell cannot participate as planned.
A fan interaction on X this week prompted McCausland to acknowledge the potential pause to their podcast, while noting that Buswell’s availability hinges on Strictly rehearsals and commitments. The remarks come as networks and the troupe emphasize welfare and safety during a period of intensive preparation for the autumn run.
Insiders familiar with the production have described Strictly as employing duty‑of‑care and welfare measures for all participants, including regular breaks and warm‑up sessions. They say rehearsals are designed to be adaptable to participants’ needs and paced to the performers, including Buswell. Nonetheless, there has been chatter about a purported 10‑hour rehearsal marathon, a figure reported by one outlet but contested by others who say the schedule is managed with her well‑being in mind. The Daily Mail has requested comment from the BBC on Buswell’s status and the team’s approach to her pregnancy.
Buswell and Sugg’s pregnancy announcement last week has drawn public attention to their relationship, which began when the couple were paired on the sixteenth series of Strictly in 2018. They later publicly confirmed their romance and have since shared glimpses of their life together, including a pregnancy reveal video set to Elton John’s Tiny Dancer that showed the couple marking the moment with a playful easel and a drawing of their soon‑to‑be family. They said their first child is due in 2026 and disclosed that they are expecting a son. Buswell, who won the Glitterball Trophy last year with McCausland, has previously hinted at a desire to start a family, though the demands of her career have historically complicated those plans.
As the fall season approaches, producers, participants, and fans will be watching closely to see how Buswell navigates Strictly while pregnant and how that may affect her collaborations, television schedule, and the couple’s broader public projects, including their podcast. The BBC has yet to publicly detail how the Strictly schedule may accommodate her condition, leaving some questions about continuity and on‑air timing for the coming episodes.