Strictly's Dianne Buswell met with support as she issues pregnancy update

Professional dancer Dianne Buswell has addressed criticism over her decision to compete on Strictly Come Dancing whilst pregnant. She has also been met with support after sharing a message that she received about the situation.

Dianne announced that she's expecting a baby with her partner Joe Sugg earlier this month, with their son due next year. The news has been celebrated by fans but she's also faced concern over still competing on the BBC show ahead of the first live show, which is taking place this weekend.

It was confirmed in the launch show that Dianne will remain one of this year's dancers as the partner of Neighbours star Stefan Dennis. She's said to be the first pregnant competitor in the show's history, as reported by the Express.

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However, not all viewers are pleased, with it suggested she should withdraw from the contest due to her pregnancy. Dianne shared an update on her Instagram Story on Wednesday, where she showed one negative message that she's received.

The message stated: "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." Dianne responded to the comment in her own post, expressing her frustration. She wrote: "I can't believe in 2025 things like this are still being said."

In a subsequent post, she highlighted a response from one of her supporters, who defended Dianne. They said that her dancing whilst pregnant was "nothing short of beautiful and magical". They went on to say she is "inspirational and incredible" in the message, which Dianne shared beside teary-eyed emojis and red hearts.

The fan said: "Saw [Dianne's] story and just had to say something. Her dancing pregnant in Strictly this year is nothing short of beautiful and magical. Women's bodies are INCREDIBLE and I don't actually think some people realise that.

"This will show all of those people who believe this weird twisted notion that women should hide away when they're carrying a baby that women are capable of so much more & can do anything. You're inspirational and incredible. We as a family cannot wait to watch you doing what you love and were born to do again every weekend. And we will be cheering you on as always beautiful."

Dianne revealed earlier this month that she and YouTuber Joe are expecting their first child together. Since then, some of her fans have questioned whether the 36-year-old pro should carry on performing some of Strictly's lifts.

Speaking to comedian Chris McCausland, whom she won Strictly with last year, on their Winning Isn't Everything podcast, Dianne said that her doctor had given her advice following her pregnancy announcement. Chris said: "How's it work with all the lifts and things like that because we did quite a lot of lifts that were quite high impact."

Dianne replied: "Well, look, I'm still doing everything that I did before. Obviously, with lifts, there's just going to be a bit more caution. But my doctor has said that everything is like normal. He said, basically, if you've done it before, like in terms of you're a dancer, you've done lifts, you've done this, you've done that, then crack on and keep doing what you were doing."

She continued: "He said, because you've danced since you were five, literally, this is what your body's meant to do. He said you shouldn't stop what you do. So obviously, with lifts, you just do it with caution."

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