Strictly Come Dancing is returning with a familiar glow for one of its brightest stars. Dianne Buswell, who announced last week that she and partner Joe Sugg are expecting their first child, a son, shared a promotional image ahead of the launch show. The Australian dancer, 36, is balancing the joy of impending motherhood with the demanding schedule that comes with the long-running BBC competition.
Captured in a sparkling silver dress with blue tassels, Buswell faces away from the camera as blue and gold confetti drifts around her. The look is completed with a silver choker, blue-silver drop earrings, and blue eyeliner, creating a glamorous, theatrical aesthetic that fans immediately noted. In the accompanying post, she teased that the launch show was imminent and encouraged viewers to tune in to the 6:40 p.m. BBC One broadcast as Strictly’s new run begins.
Fans and fellow Strictly professionals quickly weighed in with praise and support. Amy Dowden called the image very special, while Vito Coppola complimented Buswell on her look and joked about the strength of her back. Other commenters applauded the blue color scheme and the overall styling, sending well wishes for both Buswell and the baby. The post arrived just days after the couple publicly confirmed the pregnancy, setting the stage for a new chapter in their lives alongside the return of the ballroom competition.
The pregnancy news itself was revealed in a playful video that arrived in mid-September. In the clip, Buswell and Sugg pretend to paint a picture on an easel before revealing a canvas showing two stick-figure characters — one with Buswell’s fiery red hair — holding hands with a baby. The couple confirmed that their first child is a boy and that the due date is 2026, adding that they cannot wait to meet their son. The moment underscored the couple’s earnest enthusiasm as they navigate both a high-profile career and expanding their family.
Buswell’s journey with Strictly began in 2018, when she was paired with Sugg and the pair quickly became a fan favorite both on and off the dance floor. Their romance, which blossomed on the show, has been a staple of coverage around Strictly’s weekly episodes. Buswell has previously spoken about her desire to become a mother, telling a tabloid in May that she and Sugg share a love of kids and that it is something they would certainly welcome. She also acknowledged that the grueling demands of life as a professional dancer could influence the timing of family plans, but expressed confidence that such a moment would come when the time was right.
In the years since joining Strictly, Buswell has continued to impress audiences and judges with her technical prowess, striking performances, and magnetic stage presence. Her Glitterball Trophy win coming with partner Chris McCausland last year further cemented her status as a leading figure in the show’s ensemble of professional dancers. As the new season approaches, producers and fans alike will be watching to see how Buswell’s personal milestones intertwine with her on-screen performances, and how the show honors both its competitive and celebratory moments amid a renewed sense of momentum for the franchise. The launch show — a centerpiece of the first weekend of the season — airs tonight on BBC One, and viewers will be eager to see how Buswell—and the rest of the Strictly cast—steer through a year that promises both dazzling performances and life-changing milestones.