Bobby Brazier made a cheeky comment on one of Dianne Buswell’s Instagram posts on Monday night – hours before he declared his love for her on Lorraine on Tuesday

The EastEnders actor, 20, and professional dancer Dianne 34, are coupled up in the latest series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing and she is currently in a relationship with Joe Sugg, 32. 

Fans have been quick to laud the close friendship between the two – as Dianne called Bobby her ‘rock’ after he supported her through a difficult few weeks culminating in a tearful appearance on Strictly. 

Taking to Instagram, Dianne posted a photo of the two with the caption: ‘Forgot I had this pic it’s so cute. From way back in Week 1 dancing our foxtrot!

‘What has been your favourite Bobby and Di dance so far?’

Playful: Bobby Brazier, 20, made a cheeky comment on Strictly’s 34-year-old Dianne Buswell’s Instagram post on Monday night – hours before he declared his love for her on Lorraine

Bobby joked on Lorraine on Tuesday: ‘There are times when I don’t like you, but then there are times that I love you’

Bobby soon commented on the post: ‘Go to bed, early rise tomorrow.’ 

The pair then appeared on ITV’s Lorraine on Tuesday morning where they discussed their close bond and hectic work schedule.

Bobby explained to stand-in host Christine Lampard: ‘We spend so much time together [in rehearsals] all day every day together.’

Dianne then chimed in: ‘So if we didn’t like each other, that would be an issue!’

Bobby joked: ‘There are times when I don’t like you, but then there are times that I love you.’

Christine then asked Bobby if Dianne ‘cracks the whip a bit too much’ and Bobby said: ‘Yeah… I think I’m getting better at working harder. 

‘You’re rubbing off on me in certain ways and I’m rubbing off on you in certain ways and I think that’s why last week went so well.’

Dianne added: ‘We’re starting to understand each other a bit more, I even had to ask him for a break last week and he said, “No.”‘

Support: Dianne has called Bobby her ‘rock’ after he supported her during a tearful appearance on the BBC dancing contest 

‘He’s working really, really hard and it shows because it was a beautiful dance. We loved it so much and long may it continue.’ 

On the show’s Halloween theme this Saturday, Dianne said: ‘Bobby’s hips are back!’ We saw a lot of hip action in the Samba and we’re going to see more hips this week.’

Bobby laughed: ‘They [the hips] did surprisingly well.’

Dianne is currently balancing her busy Strictly schedule with spending time with YouTuber boyfriend Joe with whom she was partnered on the 2018 series. 

She shared an adorable insight into their relationship over the weekend as she shared a picture of Joe taking her to the station in his dressing gown – showing their dedication to prioritise their relationship during rehearsals. 

A grateful Dianne snapped a picture of Joe in the car, writing: ‘Bless him waking up to take me to the station in my pyjamas.’ 

Dianne and Bobby, who scored 32 out of 40 on Saturday for their Viennese Waltz to JVKE’s Golden Hour, have had a turbulent time over the past few weeks. 

Dianne worried fans during a tearful appearance on the show in second-most recent episode, holding back tears as she chatted to Claudia Winkleman after the performance. 

Supportive: Dianne and her boyfriend Joe Sugg are fully committed to making the relationship work during busy Strictly rehearsals 

She said of Bobby during the chat: ‘He has just been a massive rock this week, so thank you,’ before her voice then broke as she leant into his chest and hugged him. 

And after a week of speculation she has now finally addressed the moment, sadly revealing that her father Mark – who lives in Bunbury, Australia – is unwell.

In a Q&A on her YouTube channel she said: ‘I thought I would be very upfront and honest with you all. 

‘Last week I got some news about my dad’s health and I won’t go into detail, but obviously that affected me.

‘Being away from home and not being able to support and help your family in a time of need is quite a difficult thing so I did struggle a little bit last week in terms of that.’

While Dianne’s family had plans to head to the UK for Christmas and watch her on Strictly, she said that wouldn’t be happening now.

She told how instead she is planning to go home to Australia at the end of the year.

Dianne continued: ‘There is a little road ahead for my dad but I believe 100% he is going to be fine and we are all going to get through it together.’

Honest: Dianne recently revealed the real reason behind her tearful Strictly appearance last Saturday night which sparked concern with her fans

Tough: The professional dancer struggled to contain her emotions while chatting to Claudia Winkleman after their routine last week as she held back tears

She then asked fans to give her dad ‘a little thought or prayer’, which she would ‘greatly appreciate’.

The emotional star went on: ‘My dad is the sweetest, kindest man you will ever meet and the one thing he really wants is for me to keep going and to keep dancing my little heart out and doing what I love because that makes him the absolute proudest.

‘Regardless if I go home with a glitterball or not I will still go home and have a hot Christmas.’

You can watch Lorraine weekdays from 9am on ITV1 & ITVX.  

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES

Angela Rippon

Age: 78 

Profession: Journalist 

Angela says: ‘Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentine Tango.’

 

Amanda Abbington

Age: 49

Profession: Actress

Amanda says: ‘I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things.’

 

Layton Williams

Age: 28

Profession: Actor

Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’

 

 Krishnan Guru-Murthy

Age: 53

Profession: Journalist

Krishnan says: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘You only live once!’ I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’

 

Eddie Kadi

Age: 40

Profession: Comedian and radio presenter

Eddie says: ‘WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE.

 

Angela Scanlon

Age: 39

Profession: TV presenter

Angela says: ‘I’m not particularly fit, I’ve no idea how my pelvic floor is going to react to this dancing. I’ve never done any dances apart from drunken jiving at a wedding!’ 

 

Zara McDermott 

Age: 26

Profession: Documentary maker and former Love Island star

Zara says: ‘I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.’

 

Adam Thomas 

Age: 34 

Profession: Actor and presenter

Adam says: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’

 

Ellie Leach 

Age: 22

Profession:  Coronation Street star

Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’

 

Bobby Brazier 

Age: 20

Profession:  EastEnders star and model 

Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’

 

Nigel Harman 

Age: 49 

Profession:  Actor

Nigel says: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’

 

Annabel Croft 

Age: 57 

Profession:  Broadcaster and ex tennis player

Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’