Professional dancer Dianne Buswell has responded forcefully to online criticism regarding her decision to continue performing on Strictly Come Dancing whilst expecting her first child.

The 36-year-old Australian performer shared a message she received on social media that described her dancing during pregnancy as “inappropriate” and claimed watching her perform was “uncomfortable” despite her only beginning to show.

Ms Buswell expressed her anger at the comment on her Instagram Stories on Wednesday evening, writing: “I can’t believe in 2025 things like this are still being said.”

The expectant mother’s response came just days before Saturday’s first live show of the series, where she will perform alongside her celebrity partner, Stefan Dennis.

The offensive message, which Ms Buswell chose not to attribute to a specific user, stated: “I don’t want to see her dance being pregnant, it’s already feeling uncomfortable, and she’s only starting to show. It’s not appropriate.”

Following her response, supporters rallied behind the dancer with messages of encouragement. One fan described her continued participation as “nothing short of beautiful and magical,” adding that she was “inspirational and incredible.”

Another supporter wrote that Buswell’s presence on the programme would challenge “this weird twisted notion that women should hide away when they’re carrying a baby,” demonstrating that “women are capable of so much more & can do anything.”

Ms Buswell reposted several supportive messages with heart emojis, showing her appreciation for the positive responses.

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Ms Buswell and YouTube personality Joe Sugg revealed on September 14 that they are expecting a baby boy in 2026, sharing the news through a video where they drew stick figures representing their growing family.

The couple first met during the 2018 series of Strictly when they were partnered together, reaching the final before losing to Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton.

Ms Buswell has made history as the programme’s first expectant participant, partnering with Neighbours actor Mr Dennis for the current series.

Speaking on comedian Chris McCausland’s Winning Isn’t Everything podcast, Ms Buswell revealed her doctor’s guidance regarding her continued participation in the programme.

“My doctor said that everything is normal,” she explained. “He said, basically, if you’ve done it before, like in terms of you’re a dancer, you’ve done lifts, you’ve done this, you’ve done that, then crack on and keep doing what you were doing.”

The medical professional emphasised that since Ms Buswell has danced since age five, “this is what your body’s meant to do” and advised she “shouldn’t stop.”

Whilst she confirmed she would continue performing all routines, Ms Buswell acknowledged that lifts would be approached “with a bit more caution” throughout the competition.

Ms Buswell and Mr Dennis will take to the dancefloor live for the very first time this weekend alongside the rest of the celebrity couples. However, there’s one celebrity contestant who won’t be there.

Dani Dyer announced this week she’d been forced out of this year’s competition after injuring her ankle while in rehearsals.

The Love Island winner, who was due to perform alongside Nikita Kuzmin, admitted she was “heartbroken” by the incident.

“I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny,” she said in a statement.

“I thought I had rolled my foot, but it swelled up badly over the weekend, and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.

“Apparently, doing the Quickstep on a fracture is not advisable, and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance, so I’ve had to pull out of the show.

“To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita, but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.”