Reigning Strictly Come Dancing champion Dianne Buswell shares dreams for the future with her long-term love Joe Sugg and their plans to start a family
Dancing is at the centre of everything for Dianne Buswell – it’s where she made her name and found the love of her life. But the Strictly Come Dancing professional says she’s prepared to waltz away for a while to start a family with partner, podcaster and YouTuber Joe Sugg.
The pair met on the 2018 series of the BBC show after being paired together and romance blossomed away from the bright lights and the cameras once their stint had ended.
Dianne, 36, has opened up about their family plans as she shares what made her fall for Joe, 33. “It wasn’t until the show ended that we realised we missed each other’s company a lot – our relationship went from there,” she explained.
“We always got on, he was so funny to me, and I loved how creative he was. We’ve always wanted kids, it’s just finding the right time. I don’t feel worried about taking time out from dancing, I just don’t see the point in worrying. When everything aligns, it will happen. I have to have that vision. I like to practise manifestation, I’m quite spiritual.”
The couple live in Brighton, where they share a £3.5million mansion. They’ve long been open about their desire to start a family. Dianne recently had to deny suggestions the pair had got engaged after speculation grew online after she was spotted wearing a ring on her wedding finger.
Grilled on Good Morning Britain by Susanna Reid and Ed Balls, she explained how some of her fingers had swollen up after a flight, so she moved rings from her right to her left hand. “I was taking pictures with my family and I put them online so everyone thought I was engaged,” she recalled. “I’m not engaged.”
Joe may not have got down on bended knee, but their relationship is going from strength to strength, with Joe beginning to enjoy some of Dianne’s passions. “Joe laughs at me because I’m always investing in the latest wellness product," tells Dianne.
"It’s a big passion. I have an ice bath at home. I can get a bit anxious but cold-water therapy calms me down. I’m so proud of Joe – he never knew about any of this wellness stuff, but he’s enjoying it. He loves the ice bath. He does it more than me, to be honest.”
Since joining Strictly in 2017, Australian pro dancer Dianne has been putting her body through hours of gruelling rehearsals day after day, so she has to look after herself.
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“There’s only so much you can give before you need to recharge," says Dianne. "In this line of work, we’re giving, giving, giving, because we want people to have the best time, but there comes a point when you need to give yourself time and space. I need moments of quiet and calm.”
A self-confessed “homebody”, Dianne loves a night in as much as a showbiz party. “I’m okay being in my own company. At a party, I’m not the loudest one in the room by any stretch of the imagination.”
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She shares her home life with fans on social media – she and Joe have built up a huge following through their daily vlogs. Dianne says it’s helped show people the “real” her. “I always wanted my YouTube channel and the podcast [Winning Isn’t Everything] to be as raw as possible,” she tells Prima magazine.
“First thing in the morning, I’ll vlog and show the real me, who hasn’t been in hours of hair and make-up. It comes with age and becoming more confident in yourself as a person.
"When I was younger, I used to be self-conscious and would never step outside unless I had a full face of make-up on. It’s no longer about looks, it’s about how I feel and what I feel. That’s why I’m so honest – if I can help at least one or two people, then I feel like my job’s done.”
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As Strictly’s reigning champion after her historic win with blind comedian Chris McCausland, 48, last year, Dianne is preparing to line up with another celebrity for the new series, with the professional dancers rehearsing already ahead of the show starting in September.
But she and Chris do the Winning podcast together, and she says he changed her outlook on life – and she doesn’t feel as much pressure any more. “I feel just as excited as any other year, and I’ve put no expectations on myself,” she insists.
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“Last year taught me it’s not about perfection. I used to think of winning, winning, winning, but the past few years, it hasn’t been about that at all – maybe that comes with age and maturity.
“Chris and I could have left at any point and would have gone thinking we’d won anyway. It doesn’t feel like a competition any more. I taught him a lot, but he taught me just as much.
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"Chris has allowed me to be more of the character that I naturally am. I don’t feel pressure to be the world’s best dancer as I get older – you don’t need to be a world champion to be a great Strictly professional. It’s a mixed bag of stuff, like being able to communicate with someone as a teacher.”
She is looking forward to reuniting with friend and fellow pro Amy Dowden, 34, who returned to the show in the last series after breast cancer but had to pull out after a foot injury.
Dianne said: “She’s a tough cookie. I’ve never met anyone who loves dancing so much, she lives and breathes it and for that to be taken away from her for a period was so upsetting. But she is back 100%, thriving and full of life.”
