Dianne Buswell still has an important role to play on Strictly Come Dancing despite discovering early into the new series that partner Stefan Dennis was withdrawing

Pregnant Dianne Buswell dazzled as she returned to the Strictly dancefloor and showed fans what they’ve been missing. The Australian professional dancer, who is expecting her first child with YouTuber Joe Sugg, was competing on Strictly this year with Neighbours icon Stefan Dennis. Branded ‘Team Aussie’, the duo were expecting big things in the early weeks of Strictly.

However, the Neighbours legend was forced to pull out due to injury, when he tore his calf, leaving him in agony. Since then, Dianne has continued to play a bit part on Strictly, often seen in the Clauditorium providing her colleagues and this year’s stars support. She has also kept busy by taking part in a number of routines.

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Dianne Buswell and Vito Coppola dancing on Strictly while Lewis Capaldi performed

Fans saw her involved again in the live show from the Blackpool Tower Ballroom began with Dianne and the rest of the pros dancing along to a melody of Steps’ biggest hits. Then on Sunday night’s results show, Dianne was back on the dancefloor to dance along to Lewis’ live performance of his new single The Day That I Die.

Dianne was paired with Vito Coppola, who danced with Ellie Goldstein earlier in the series. Joining the pals in the dance was Lauren Oakley, who was paired with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and Neil Jones, who did not have a partner this time.

Fans loved her energetic display, despite the star carrying some precious cargo. “Dianne getting to perform at the front of the group number on Saturday night and now with Lewis Capaldi tonight…. Has definitely been a highlight of strictly this weekend for me,” one viewer wrote on X.

Another added: “Obsessed with Blackpool being the Dianne show this weekend, how special for her to be able to show her son her leading these incredible routines one day.” @sabotageomar posted: “stop that dance was gorgeous.”

The expecting star wowed fans with her display 

Stefan’s injury keft her with time on her hands this series. At the time of his withdrawal, the actor said: “This morning I woke up to the most disappointing day of the time in my Strictly journey. Just when I had finally gained the confidence to do well with my dancing in the comp and achieve more great dances along the way, I was told that on Saturday I had torn my calf so significantly that I am now forced to withdraw from the show.

“I can’t tell you how devastated I am to have to leave so prematurely especially, as there has been, and still is, so much love and support from everyone for both Dianne and myself. I owe both the Strictly Family and Dianne a massive debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being able to dance with my wife. (When my leg is better).”

This impending arrival has already brought about significant changes, with Dianne confessing to last year’s Glitter Ball winner Chris McCausland that she’s struggling to fit into her clothes.

Lewis Capaldi belted out his new song

During their Winning Isn’t Everything podcast, she lamented: “Honestly Chris, I can’t fit into any of my jeans. I’m so upset. I even went to the shops yesterday because I was like: ‘Right, I need to feel good about myself and I need to buy some clothes that fit.”

“I tried some bits on, I’d go for a size up, turns out I’d need two sizes up, I was honestly gutted. I didn’t buy anything in the end, not a single thing. I came home and Joe said: ‘What did you buy.’ I was like: ‘I bought nothing.’”

Dianne and Joe, 34, first crossed paths when they were paired together on the BBC reality show in 2018, finishing as runners up to Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton.

The overjoyed pair announced their pregnancy news via an Instagram post back in September, writing: “Our little baby boy [heart emoji] we cannot wait to meet you.”