Dianne Buswell, the Strictly Come Dancing professional, is expecting her first child, a baby boy, and marked the news with a glamorous promotional photo ahead of the BBC show’s return. The 36-year-old dancer recently confirmed that she and boyfriend Joe Sugg, 34, are expecting their first child together, due in 2026.
In the new Strictly promotional image, Buswell is photographed with her back to the camera wearing a sparkling silver dress accented with blue tassels. Blue and gold confetti drifts around her as she completes the look with a silver choker, blue-and-silver drop earrings and blue eyeliner. Her Instagram post notes the launch of her ninth season and mentions that the launch show airs tonight at 18:40 on BBC One.
Fellow Strictly professionals and fans quickly filled the comments with praise. Amy Dowden described the image as a very special pic, while Vito Coppola praised the look and energy of the shot. Other followers highlighted the blue confetti, the outfit and the makeup in glowing terms.
Buswell’s pregnancy news followed her earlier reveal of the couple’s baby news in a video set to Elton John’s Tiny Dancer, which featured a playful easel moment before unveiling a drawing of two stick figures—one bearing Buswell’s signature flaming red hair—holding hands with a baby. The clip confirmed that the couple are expecting a son and that the baby is due in 2026. Joe Sugg shared that the couple cannot wait to meet their son.
Context for fans includes Buswell’s public comments about starting a family. In May, she told The Sun that she and Sugg love kids and would definitely like to become parents, though the demanding nature of their showbiz careers had paused family plans. The two first connected when paired on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, and Buswell later celebrated a Glitterball Trophy win with partner Chris McCausland last year. As Strictly’s new season approaches, fans will be watching how Buswell’s pregnancy and personal milestone intersect with the show’s festive return.