Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell has spoken out against a wave of 'cruel criticism' and uninformed speculation surrounding her participation in the BBC dance competition while pregnant.
Unfounded Speculation and a Forced Exit
The 36-year-old dancer, who is expecting her first child with boyfriend Joe Sugg, 34, found herself at the centre of negative comments after she and her celebrity partner, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis, were forced to miss a live show. When the actor fell ill, some viewers incorrectly concluded that Dianne's pregnancy was the real reason for their absence, even suggesting a 'cover-up' was underway.
The situation escalated when the duo had to withdraw from the competition completely after Stefan suffered a painful injury. This prompted Dianne to issue a public statement to quash the false rumours that her pregnancy had played any part in their departure. One fan's comment, which claimed the exit was 'planned to keep her and baby safe', exemplified the misguided speculation she faced.
Dianne's Energetic Rebuttal
Choosing not to ignore the comments, Dianne took to her Instagram Stories to set the record straight. 'I sound like a broken record but I'm seeing a bit of this floating around again!' she wrote. 'I know people say ignore it but actually why should I. I will speak up... I would love nothing more than to keep dancing this week next week the week after that so so on and so forth. In fact I have more energy this year than I did this time last year.'
What the Experts Say About Pregnancy and Exercise
To clear up any confusion, fitness and medical experts have confirmed that Dianne's approach is not only safe but actively encouraged. Grace Strang, a Pre and Post Natal specialist PT and founder of Mooch Maternity Fitness Classes, stated that exercise during pregnancy is 'proven time and again to only be beneficial to the mother and child' and is recommended by NHS England.
She explained that for women like Dianne who are already highly active, continuing their training is safe and healthy. The key advice is not to start strenuous activity if you weren't already doing it, but to maintain your current fitness level. Grace noted that while certain high-risk activities should be avoided, dance can be continued with proper risk assessment as the pregnancy progresses.
The benefits are substantial, including improved labour outcomes, a fitter baby, and a lower risk of conditions like gestational diabetes. However, experts also stress that it is perfectly acceptable for mums to slow down if needed. Midwife Pip, an NHS Midwifery Sister, affirmed that 'every pregnancy is different,' and modifying activity is 'perfectly normal and often necessary.'
Her top tips for exercising while pregnant include proper warm-ups and cool-downs, focusing on core strength, wearing supportive footwear, and staying hydrated to avoid overheating.
