Dianne Buswell has been forced to shut down rumours that the real reason for her and Stefan Dennis pulling out of this week’s Strictly is because she is unable to dance.
The professional dancer, 36, announced she is expecting her first child with partner Joe Sugg last month, making her the first star to ever compete in the show while pregnant.
Yet on Friday it was revealed she and her fellow Aussie partner Stefan wouldn’t be dancing in Saturday’s night show due to Stefan’s illness.
And now on Saturday morning Dianne rushed to Instagram to squash rumours his illness has been used as a ‘cover up’ for her being unable to dance.
She penned: ‘Just to clarify as I have had lots of people msg me thinking this is a cover up for me being not able to dance!?
‘Firstly we wouldn’t lie especially about somebody being sick! And secondly I am fine, yes I am pregnant but I’m also very capable and feeling really good!’
Dianne Buswell has been forced to shut down rumours that the real reason for her and Stefan Dennis pulling out of this week’s Strictly is because she is unable to dance
The professional dancer, 36, announced she is expecting her first child with partner Joe Sugg last month, making her the first star to ever compete in the show while pregnant
She also explained that their are protocols in place regarding the professionals sickness as she added: ‘Thirdly there are things in place if any pro were to get sick or injured’.
This has been seen in previous year’s on the show, for example last year Lauren Oakley filled in for Amy Dowden with JB Gill after Amy had to withdraw from the competition due to injury.
On Friday it was announced the Neighbours actor, 66, and Dianne will receive a pass to next week’s show when it’s hoped Stefan will be well again.
A statement from Strictly shared on Instagram read: ‘Due to illness over the past few days, Stefan Dennis has been advised to rest and, as a result, he will not dance this weekend.
‘In line with the rules of Strictly, Stefan and Dianne will receive a bye through to next week when they will hopefully be able to dance again.’
In the caption, they added: ‘Stefan Dennis won’t be dancing on Saturday night due to illness. We wish him a speedy recovery and will hopefully see him back in the Ballroom with Dianne next week.’
Dianne took to Instagram and wished Stefan well, writing: ‘Sending Aussie love to the wonderful @stefandennis7. You are such a trooper and I know how much you wanted to dance. Hopefully we will be back in full force next week.’
Dianne is said to be ‘taking it at her own pace’ with ‘regular breaks’ as she becomes the first ever Strictly professional to compete on the show while pregnant.
She penned: ‘I have had lots of people msg me thinking this is a cover up for me being not able to dance!? … I am fine, yes I am pregnant but I’m also very capable and feeling really good!”
Dianne took to Instagram and wished Stefan well, writing: ‘Hopefully we will be back in full force next week’
An insider told Daily Mail: ‘There are duty of care and welfare measures in place for everyone working on Strictly.
‘As with all sessions, there will have been regular breaks and rest/warm-up periods, and the rehearsal will have been led by Dianne and tailored to the pace of her and her partner.’
Previously, The Sun claimed Diane’s ‘marathon Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal went on for a gruelling ten hours,’ with insiders claiming that was not the case.
Dianne shared her happy news about her pregnancy to her Instagram last month.
For their pregnancy reveal video, poignantly set to Elton John’s Tiny Dancer, the couple set up an easel and pretended to paint a picture together, with playful dramatics.
They then picked up the canvas to display it to the camera, revealing a drawing of two stickmen – one with Dianne’s signature flaming red hair – holding hands with a baby.
The couple added that their first child was due in 2026 and even revealed the sex of their little one, declaring they were expecting a son.
Joe and Dianne struck up a romance when they were paired together during the sixteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018
Joe captioned the clip: ‘Our little baby boy ❤️ we cannot wait to meet you’.
The couple were flooded with congratulatory comments from friends and fans, with their fellow Strictly stars leading the well wishes.
Joe and Dianne struck up a romance when they were paired together during the sixteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.
And Dianne has made lots of hints towards their baby plans in recent months, admitting in May that she was desperate to become a mum.
