Strictly's Will Best Returns to Rehearsals Days After Welcoming First Child, Fans Call for Paternity Leave
Viewers express concern for the presenter as he juggles 'Strictly Come Dancing' and 'Big Brother' duties shortly after the birth of his son.
Fans of 'Strictly Come Dancing' are urging show bosses to grant presenter Will Best a week of paternity leave as he has returned to rehearsals just days after welcoming his first child.
Best, 41, and his fiancée Tobi Rose welcomed their son, Sonny, on Sunday. By Wednesday, Best was back in rehearsals with his professional dance partner, Diane Buswell, preparing for the upcoming live show. He also co-hosts the weekly live 'Big Brother' eviction every Friday.
Best acknowledged the demanding schedule, admitting he has "hasn't slept for a couple of days." His dance partner, Buswell, commented on their shared fatigue, stating, "No sleep and a Jive... we just have to do it don't we? We just have to crack on."
Online commentators have expressed a desire for Best to take time off to settle into life with his newborn. Comments included suggestions such as, "Give him a break to get to know his little one and be there for Mama," and "Please give Will and his wife and baby some paternity leave!!!!" Others stated, "Surely they can give him a week off to be with his child. Ridiculous."
Best shared his joy about becoming a father, saying, "My beautiful fiancée and I have got a baby now. Sunday morning he arrived and he's amazing. Tobs is doing well, it's the most surreal, wonderful thing."
He had kept the pregnancy announcement relatively private, sharing a photo of Rose with her baby bump on Instagram the previous month. The couple, who have been together for over a decade, got engaged in July 2024 after a trip to Tuscany. Best had previously celebrated their 12th anniversary in March 2023, sharing a tribute to Rose on social media.
Best has a notable television career, with early roles on music channels Viva and T4. He later presented 'Dance Dance Dance' on ITV and has been a regular on 'Big Brother's Bit On The Side,' eventually co-hosting the main 'Big Brother' live eviction with AJ Odudu starting in April 2023.