Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell has announced she is pregnant with her first child with boyfriend Joe Sugg – and in a sweet twist, the couple revealed they’re expecting a baby boy.
The professional dancer, 36, and YouTuber, 33, shared the news on Instagram in an adorable video just a week before the new series of Strictly kicks off. Set to Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer,” the pair staged a playful painting session before turning their canvas to the camera, unveiling a stick-figure family complete with Dianne’s signature red hair – and a baby between them.
“Our little baby boy ❤️ we cannot wait to meet you,” Joe captioned the clip.
Their announcement makes Dianne the first professional in Strictly history to compete while pregnant. The couple also confirmed that their son is due in 2026.
The news sparked an outpouring of love from fellow Strictly stars and celebrity friends. Vito Coppola cheered, “The First Strictly Baby! I can’t wait to meet him – I promise to be the best crazy Italian uncle.” Stacey Dooley shouted her joy with a string of YES’s, while Amy Dowden declared she was still “screaming, dancing and celebrating,” vowing to be “Magical Auntie Ames.”
Dianne and Joe first fell in love during the 2018 series of Strictly when they were partnered together. Over the past year, the Aussie dancer has been open about her hopes of starting a family, admitting back in May that she was “desperate to become a mum.” She told The Sun, “Joe and I love kids, and that’s definitely something we would absolutely love… it will definitely happen.”
Despite acknowledging that balancing motherhood and her performance career would be “a challenge,” Dianne has insisted it’s a journey she and Joe are ready for. She recently told Prima, “We’ve always wanted kids, it’s just about finding the right time. I don’t see the point in worrying – it will happen when it’s supposed to.”
This year has already been a landmark one for Dianne, who scooped a BAFTA alongside her Strictly partner Chris McCausland for their moving “blackout” waltz. Now, she and Joe are preparing for their biggest role yet – becoming parents.
