Strictly Come Dancing's Dianne Buswell defends competing while pregnant after troll's remark

Dianne Buswell has responded to online criticism after a troll alleged it was uncomfortable and inappropriate for her to compete on Strictly Come Dancing while pregnant. The 36-year-old professional dancer and her boyfriend, Joe Sugg, 34, announced they are expecting their first child together, a baby boy, with the couple revealing the pregnancy earlier this month. Buswell made her first appearance with celebrity partner Stefan Dennis during the launch show, and she has since faced online trolling about balancing pregnancy with the demanding schedule of the competition.

The troll’s post criticized dancing while pregnant, writing that they found it “uncomfortable” and “not appropriate.” Buswell countered with a concise response on social media, sharing: “I can't believe in 2025 things like this are still being said.” The remark and the response quickly drew attention from fans, with many praising her for continuing to perform while expecting and highlighting the growing visibility of pregnant athletes in mainstream entertainment.

Support from fans rolled in quickly after the exchange. A number of followers reposted Buswell’s story and called her an inspiration for continuing to dance during pregnancy. One message described dancing while pregnant as “beautiful and magical,” arguing that women can be powerful and capable of more than society sometimes assumes. The comments underscored the broader conversation about motherhood and professional performance, particularly in reality competition formats where physical demands are high and scrutiny intense.

Buswell’s pregnancy was publicly revealed in a lighthearted promotion video set to Elton John’s Tiny Dancer. In the clip, she and Sugg staged a playful easel reveal to announce they are expecting a baby boy, with a framing that suggested a new chapter for their family. The couple later confirmed the baby is due in 2026. Their relationship began when they were paired on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, a pairing that has since grown into a long-running romance. The couple has spoken publicly in recent months about their hopes to start a family, with Buswell previously noting in interviews that motherhood was a goal they both shared, though the timing of such plans depended on the rigors of their showbiz careers.

Buswell is no stranger to high-profile success on Strictly. She and her partner Chris McCausland won the Glitterball Trophy last year, a milestone she has tied to the balance she maintains between intense training and personal life. In recent months she has described the demanding nature of the show as a factor that influenced the pace of their family plans, acknowledging that the decision to try for a child was weighed against a calendar filled with travel, rehearsals, and performances. The pregnancy announcement and ongoing work on Strictly Come Dancing have thus become part of a broader narrative about balancing professional commitments with family aspirations.

Ahead of the current season’s launch, Buswell posted a glamorous look for the event, which included a sparkling silver dress and blue accents. Fans and fellow professionals left comments of encouragement, with Amy Dowden and others complimenting her on the look and the moment. The launch, which aired on BBC One, signaled the start of a ninth season for Buswell on the show, continuing her prominent role as a fixture in the Strictly lineup and her long-running partnership with Sugg who joined the series as a contestant in recent years. The back-and-forth online discussion surrounding Buswell’s pregnancy and participation has coincided with a broader public interest in how reality competition formats navigate contestants who are navigating pregnancy while performing at a high level.

The ongoing exchange has kept the spotlight on Buswell’s experience as a parent-to-be on a demanding stage. While some fans have celebrated her fitness and resilience, others have expressed concern about safety and comfort. Buswell has not publicly reduced her schedule or training intensity, and the show’s production team has historically worked to adapt as needed to accommodate expectant contestants. As the season progresses, observers will be watching how Buswell and her team balance performance duties with the developments of her pregnancy, all while continuing to bring the signature entertainment and athleticism that have defined Strictly Come Dancing for years.