HEARTBREAKING: Strictly’s Dianne Buswell says ‘it was a shock to the system’ as she talks painful ordeal
Dianne Buswell Opens Up on ‘Scary’ Birth Ordeal as She Prepares for Strictly Return
Dianne Buswell has opened up about the painful birth of her son Bowden, admitting the experience was “a real shock to the system” as she prepares to return for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 37-year-old professional dancer welcomed her first child with partner Joe Sugg in March, after competing in the 2025 series of the BBC dance competition while pregnant.
Although Dianne says motherhood has made her “the happiest” she has ever been, she has also spoken candidly about the difficult recovery she faced after an emergency C-section.
“I was hoping to have a natural birth, but it didn’t work out that way,” she told The Sun.
“I was frightened of not being able to feel my legs. It was scary and I didn’t think about the recovery at the time.”
Dianne Recalls Crying in Joe’s Arms
The reality of that recovery soon became clear once Dianne returned home.
At times, she said she was unable to get herself out of bed without Joe’s help because of the pain and weakness around her stomach.
One nighttime moment remains particularly vivid.
“I had to wake Joe and say, ‘Please come and get me,’ because I physically couldn’t use my stomach to get out of bed,” she recalled.
“I remember crying in his arms because I was in so much pain.”
Despite how difficult the experience was, Dianne said it has not changed her feelings about expanding their family in the future.
She and Joe have spoken about wanting more children, with Dianne describing motherhood as “a bag of emotions” while also making clear just how happy she is in her new role.
Her family remains based in her native Australia, and some relatives have yet to meet Bowden.
That is expected to change at Christmas, when Dianne plans to travel home with her family after completing her latest Strictly commitments.
Strictly Return Comes After Major Life Change
Before that trip, Dianne will be back in the ballroom for another series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Viewers are set to discover the professional and celebrity pairings during the launch show on September 19.
Last year, Dianne danced with fellow Australian and Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis.
The year before that marked one of the biggest moments of her Strictly career when she lifted the Glitterball Trophy for the first time alongside comedian Chris McCausland in 2024.
Her return this year comes as the BBC show undergoes its biggest shake-up since launching in 2004.
Longtime presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have been replaced by Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
Five new professional dancers have also joined the programme.
Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita are entering the line-up following the departure of five established professionals.
New Era for Strictly
The 2026 celebrity cast includes Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Dame Sarah Storey, Will Best, Jaime Winstone, Bethany Antonia, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Graeme Hall, Laurence Robb, Tabby Stoecker and John Nellis.
A major change is also being made to the launch show as the programme begins its new era.
For Dianne, however, this series arrives after a far more personal transformation.
Only months after giving birth and experiencing a recovery that at times left her unable to get out of bed without assistance, she is preparing to step back onto the dance floor.
The difficult birth remains an experience she says she will never forget, but it has not diminished her joy at becoming a mother or her excitement about what comes next.
With Bowden now at the centre of her and Joe’s life, Dianne is balancing her new role at home with another demanding season of Strictly — before finally heading back to Australia so more of her family can meet him.
