Fan-favourite Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell was left stunned when she received nasty comments online regarding her pregnancy.
The Australian dancer, 36, joined the Strictly family in 2017 and, the following year, made the final with her celebrity partner Joe Sugg, 34.
Not long after the series concluded, they confirmed their romance and, fast forward seven years, they have their first child on the way.
The expectant parents announced their joyous baby news just days before the Strictly 2025 launch, with Dianne reassuring viewers at the time that she would still be competing.
And while she’s undoubtedly been inundated with supportive messages in recent weeks, unfortunately, she’s discovered the nastier side of the internet, too.
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Taking to her Instagram Story this evening, three days before the first live show of Strictly, in which she’ll perform with Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, Dianne shared a screenshot of a mean-spirited remark.
‘I don’t want to see her dance being pregnant, ‘ the comment began. ‘It’s already feeling uncomfortable and she’s only starting to show.’
‘It’s really not appropriate,’ added the troll, whose username Dianne did not expose.
Adding her feelings on the matter, she wrote alongside it: ‘I can’t believe in 2025 things like this are still being said’.
Thankfully, Strictly fans have wrapped (virtual) arms around the flame-haired star, for which Dianne expressed her gratitude by reposting a supportive comment.
It praised her for how ‘incredible’ it is that she’s persisting with the show while expecting and hailed her as an ‘inspiration’ for reminding others that ‘women are capable of so much more & can do anything’.
Over on X, Strictly viewers raged over the treatment of the pregnant dancer.
‘she is just doing her job. she is just doing what she loves. she is just doing what she has done her whole life. how can people be so disgusting’, wrote @strictlylmx.
‘Do they want pregnant women to hide away for 9 months ?! We really are going backwards as a society’, argued @cdaly72.
‘Absolutely disgraceful. Proper caveman thoughts. I so feel for her’, added @Bexybexxo.
@higfox also wrote: ‘Take no notice Dianne. It’s your body. Your decision. You re fit and healthy. And I’m sure you will be looked after [sic]’.
Dianne made her pregnant debut on Strictly last weekend in the pre-recorded launch show, which saw her waltz with 2024 champion Chris McCausland one last time, her little bump already somewhat visible.
Speaking on their joint podcast, Winning Isn’t Everything, earlier in the week, Dianne divulged some details on how Strictly is going to work for her this time around.
‘I’m still doing everything I did before,’ she began.
‘Obviously, with lifts, there’s going to be a bit more caution. But my doctor has said everything is normal.’
‘He said, basically, if you’ve done it before, in terms of being a dancer, and you’ve done this, done that, then crack on and keep doing what you’re doing,’ she added.
Dianne also said she doesn’t see ‘huge lifts’ in her near Strictly future anyway due to the nature of her partnership this year.
The podcast episode was recorded before Stefan, 66, was unveiled as her celeb partner for this series.
‘You can’t see yourself getting past three weeks then?’, joked comedian Chris.
‘No,’ Dianne laughed, clarifying: ‘But you look at the dynamic of the partnership, and you can see straight away.
‘A lot of partnerships don’t do many lifts, if that’s what is best for the partnership.’
However, it has been explained by insiders that Strictly bosses always have plans in place in case a pro needs to drop out, as seen last year when Lauren Oakley replaced an injured Amy Dowden.
The BBC is believed to be checking in on Dianne regularly, because her health is the most ‘important’ thing.
Dianne and YouTube star Joe are expecting a baby boy, set to arrive in 2026.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday.
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