Strictly winner Stacey Dooley has hailed Dianne Buswell as "incredible" for competing in series 23 whilst pregnant. The professional dancer, who is expecting her first child with partner Joe Sugg, was recently criticised on social media for taking part.
Weighing in, Dooley and her long-term partner, Kevin Clifton, recently spoke about Buswell's return to Strictly.
"Can I just say something?" Dooley began, "I think it is such a flex to be a pro on the biggest show on telly whilst pregnant. Women are incredible! It's amazing that she's going to be able to tell her baby, 'You were with me.' I'm made up for them [Joe and Dianne]."
Agreeing with Dooley, Clifton, who danced on Strictly from 2013 to 2019, praised his dear friend for her work on the show. "I think she's fantastic," he said. "What she really gets is dancing with a partner. It's not just: 'Look how good I can dance'. It's about connecting to a partner, dancing with them and telling a story. That's what she's really good at."
Clifton added: "She's very confident right now because she's the champion, and she's feeling herself."
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Buswell, who joined Strictly in 2017, took home the coveted Glitterball trophy in 2024, after competing with comedian Chris McCausland. Almost a year after her victory, the TV star shared even more exciting news in September.
Taking to Instagram, Buswell and Sugg revealed that they were expecting a baby boy in 2026. Following the announcement, the couple have received plenty of well-wishes from friends and fans.
In a brand new vlog post on her TikTok page, Buswell sat down to open cards that had been sent to the studio. "I'm getting emotional, and it's not even 8am, guys. That was very cute. Thanks for all your lovely support and messages," she said on 4 October, "I love it."
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While Buswell has been feeling the love from Strictly fans, the dancer has also been forced to address some negativity online. Just last week, Buswell reshared a comment in which one fan wrote: "I don't want to see her dance being pregnant. It's already feeling uncomfortable, and she's only starting to show. It's really not appropriate."
Reacting to the remark, Buswell noted: "I can't believe in 2025 things like this are still being said."
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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