Dianne Buswell has opened up about handling negativity and anxiety, saying that her positive approach helped her deal with her early exit from Strictly Come Dancing last year. The professional dancer, 33, was partnered with comedian Robert Webb, 49, in the latest series of the BBC show, but they withdrew in the fourth week due to his ill health.
In a piece for the Daily Mail, she said: 'It was disappointing to leave Strictly so early because of [Robert's] health, but I reminded myself that I was lucky to have a partner.' She cited the experience as an example of when 'negativity [was] creeping in' within herself, admitting that she has her 'fair share of self-doubt and negativity,' as well as anxiety.
The former finalist, who describes herself as a generally 'positive person,' said she tries to 'focus on the things [she has],' including when she prematurely departed the show. She revealed that the experience actually makes her 'more determined' to win this year.
Dianne, who is dating vlogger Joe Sugg, 30, also discussed her anxiety, saying she has felt more pressure as she has become more successful. She described confronting her anxiety on Freeze The Fear with Wim Hof as 'liberating,' and said she still uses techniques learned on the show, such as three-minute freezing showers and breathing exercises.
She explained: 'When we were filming the breathing exercise, I broke down, as I was basically releasing a past trauma. I could feel all my anxiety and fear pouring out in my tears.' Dianne praised partner Joe as her 'cheerleader' and said that emigrating from Australia was 'tough,' though his family and Strictly have been a support network for her.
