Strictly's Dianne Buswell heads straight to rehearsal - becoming first pregnant star to compete

Strictly Come Dancing's Dianne Buswell has been pictured heading to rehearsals as she becomes the first star to compete while pregnant.

The professional and her partner YouTube star Joe Sugg announced they are expecting their first child together on Sunday a week before the show's launch. The couple met on the BBC One dancing show when they were paired during the 16th series in 2018.

Early on Monday morning, Dianne was beaming as she shared a selfie from her car as she headed to the training room. The star has been paired up with one of this year's celebrity contestants

While Dianne already knows her Strictly couple, viewers will have to wait for this Saturday's launch show to find out who the Aussie star will be competing with.

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On Sunday, Buswell, 36, and her partner Sugg, 34, shared a video to Instagram which showed them painting on a canvas.

After multiple strokes with their brush, they unveiled their masterpiece, which depicted two stick figures holding the hands of a smaller stick figure alongside the date “2026”.

The caption of the post, which was soundtracked by Sir Elton John’s Tiny Dancer, said: “Our little baby boy. We cannot wait to meet you.”

Strictly judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse and professional dancer Johannes Radebe were among those congratulating the couple in the comments.

Dancer Amy Dowden added: “Still screaming, dancing and celebrating! So so happy for you both! Magical. Auntie Ames can’t wait.”

Documentary-maker Stacey Dooley, who won series 16 of Strictly alongside dancer Kevin Clifton, simply said “YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES” alongside a crying emoji.

Like Buswell and Sugg, Dooley and Clifton went on to form a relationship and now have a daughter called Minnie.

Buswell is to compete in this year’s series of Strictly, which returns to BBC One on September 20.

The Australian dancer won the glitterball trophy last year alongside her celebrity dance partner, comedian Chris McCausland, who was the first blind person to compete on and win the series.