Will Best experienced an emotionally charged week on "Strictly Come Dancing" as he balanced rehearsals for the jive with the arrival of his first child. Best, 41, returned to training with professional partner Dianne Buswell just days after his fiancée, Tobi Rose, gave birth to their son, Sonny, on Sunday.
During Saturday's live show, host Emma Willis presented Best and his son with gifts from the "Strictly" cast. After showcasing tiny shoes and a miniature scoring paddle, Willis offered a "teeny tiny violin," humorously remarking it was "just in case I ever hear Will complain about how tired he is when it was his fiancée that gave birth."
Best became emotional during a training session with Buswell, who welcomed her own first child in March. "Big week this week. We've got the jive... also I've had a baby," Best shared with his partner. Both were moved to tears, with Buswell congratulating him on joining the "mum and dad club." She advised him that the tiredness he would feel would be a "magical tired – you're tired from the exhaustion of loving them so much."
Best, in turn, called Buswell "inspirational," adding, "you're doing all of this and you've got a baby and you're clearly the most amazing mum so I want to try and learn from you."
Despite his fatigue, Best received positive feedback from the judges. Shirley Ballas noted that he should be "proud of yourself" as it was his "best dance so far," while Craig Revel Horwood described their performance as a "fantastic job." Anton Du Beke offered a lighthearted piece of advice: "continue to not sleep because it works wonders for your dancing!"
The pair achieved a score of 31 points, capping a significant week for the presenter, who also hosts the live "Big Brother" eviction show.
Earlier in the week, "Strictly" viewers had urged show bosses to grant Best paternity leave. He had admitted on Wednesday to having "hasn't slept in days." Fans commented on social media, calling for him to be given time off to be with his family.
Best announced the birth of his son, stating, "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. I haven't slept for a couple of days." Buswell acknowledged the challenge, saying, "No sleep and a Jive... we just have to do it don't we? We just have to crack on."
Best and Rose, who have been together for over a decade, became engaged in July 2024 during a romantic holiday in Tuscany, Italy.