**Dianne Buswell Shares Her Excitement to Return as Strictly Champion**
Dianne Buswell, the celebrated professional dancer, is set to waltz back onto the BBC’s flagship dance show, ‘Strictly Come Dancing’, for her ninth year – and her enthusiasm is as strong as ever. Following her triumphant win alongside comedian Chris McCausland in the 2024 series, Buswell returns to the ballroom as the defending champion, radiating the same joy and nerves that captivated audiences throughout her journey.
Reflecting on her years with the programme, Buswell, now 36, admitted she still experiences the same ‘butterflies’ as when she first took to the stage. She described her return akin to the first day of a new school year: “Each series feels like I’m starting all over again – only, I still feel like I’m in primary school. That excitement hasn’t faded.” Her candid admission shows that the glitz and glamour of Strictly have lost none of their charm for the Australian-born dancer.
Importantly, Buswell emphasised that should her passion ever wane, she would gracefully step aside, believing the opportunity should go to someone eager for the same magical experience. “If I ever lost that spark, it would only be right to let someone else take my place and feel what I felt all these years,” she told Heat magazine, underlining her respect for the show and its community.
The victory last year was especially poignant for Dianne. Not only did she finally claim the illustrious Glitterball Trophy after two previous appearances in the final, but the win came alongside McCausland, the show’s first blind contestant. Buswell keeps a smaller replica of the trophy on display in her office, using it as a motivational memento. She explained, “Whenever I’m facing a challenge, seeing it reminds me that perseverance can lead to something truly extraordinary.”
The partnership with Chris McCausland, in particular, holds a special place in her heart. After years of celebrating others’ successes, the feeling of accomplishment was both novel and moving. “It was quite surreal to finally be the one winning,” she remarked, expressing gratitude for sharing that moment with McCausland, who broke new ground for contestants with disabilities.
Beyond the Strictly stage, Buswell’s personal life has also blossomed through the show. She has been in a relationship with YouTuber Joe Sugg since their much-loved stint together as Strictly partners in 2018. The couple, who have been together for seven years, occasionally revisit their dancing roots at home. “Joe still breaks out into ballroom mode,” Buswell laughed. “He puts on his serious face, gets his posture perfect – sometimes his enthusiasm for waltzing rivals mine!”
Buswell credits much of their relationship’s strength to their shared sense of fun and their refusal to take themselves too seriously. She suggests that laughter and playfulness remain at the heart of their happiness together. “Keeping things light and enjoying each other’s company is what keeps the spark alive for us,” she said.
As the new season of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ approaches, fans and fellow professionals alike will be watching eagerly to see if Buswell can once again capture the crown. Her continued drive, warmth, and infectious enthusiasm underscore why she remains such an admired figure within the Strictly family.
With anticipation building, the return of Dianne Buswell promises more memorable performances and, quite possibly, another shot at Glitterball glory. As ever, it seems that the magic of Strictly endures – both for its audience and for the dancers who light up the dancefloor.