Pregnant dancer Dianne Buswell arrived at Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals on Thursday as the BBC show's new series nears its return. The 36-year-old professional, whose celebrity partner will be announced during this weekend's launch, confirmed last week that she and YouTuber Joe Sugg, 33, are expecting a baby boy.
Fans had raised concerns over the schedule after the couple’s news, with some describing the rehearsals as gruelling. An insider told the Daily Mail that Strictly has duty-of-care and welfare measures in place and that sessions are tailored to Buswell’s pace, featuring regular breaks and a warm-up period led by Buswell herself. The insider stressed the rehearsal plan is designed to fit the pace of both Buswell and her partner.
At the studio, Buswell appeared upbeat in an oversized white T-shirt that covered her baby bump, paired with black joggers. She was joined by fellow professionals and contestants, including Jowita Przystał, with Stefan Dennis and Ross King seen arriving for practice ahead of Saturday's launch.
The development marks Buswell as the first Strictly professional to compete while pregnant. It comes amid a dispute over the previously reported 10-hour rehearsal marathon; insiders referenced by the Daily Mail said the longer schedule was not the case and emphasized a measured approach focused on safety and pace. The Sun’s earlier claim of an extended, exhaustive session was presented as not accurate by those close to the production.
Buswell and Sugg announced their pregnancy in a video posted to Instagram, set to Elton John’s Tiny Dancer, in which they revealed they are expecting a son and that the baby is due in 2026. The couple previously described their joy online, with Sugg posting a caption about their impending arrival.
Dianne Buswell first joined Strictly in 2018 and has since become a familiar presence on the show, even amidst a demanding career. She and her former partner Chris McCausland won the Glitterball Trophy last year, a reminder of her competitive success on the ballroom stage. In recent months, Buswell has suggested a desire to start a family, a goal she has discussed publicly while continuing to balance her dance commitments.
The Strictly lineup for 2025 features a mix of sports, acting and entertainment personalities, including Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Alex Kingston, Balvinder Sopal, La Voix, Thomas Skinner, Vicky Pattison, Karen Carney, Dani Dyer, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Ellie Goldstein, Chris Robshaw, Stefan Dennis, Ross King, and Lewis Cope. The celebrities’ professional partners will be revealed at the weekend as the show gears up for a premiere that signals a new season of what has become a national television event.
With the new series set to run through the weeks leading up to Christmas, producers have sought to strike a balance between spectacle and safety. Officials have reiterated a commitment to the welfare of all participants, particularly as Buswell navigates dancing at the sidelong pace that her pregnancy requires. The broadcast is expected to offer a glimpse of how Strictly plans to adapt to a world in which the ballroom welcomes a pregnant star for the first time.
As preparations continue, fans will be watching closely to see how Buswell’s role evolves alongside her growing family, and how the show’s format accommodates a pregnant contestant while maintaining its signature high-energy performances. In the meantime, those involved in the production emphasize care, pace and a careful approach to rehearsals as the weekend launch draws near.