Strictly’s Dianne Buswell hits back at body criticism 8 months after giving birth

Dianne Buswell has hit back at criticism of her looks on Strictly this year (Picture: Instagram/@diannebuswell/BBC/Guy Levy)

Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell has responded to criticism of her styling on the series.

The Australian pro, 37, has been a firm favourite among fans since joining the BBC dance show in 2017.

While competing in the 2018 series, Dianne met social media personality Joe Sugg, 35, and after endless rumours, they confirmed they were dating shortly after the final.

Fast forward to March 2026, and they welcomed their first baby together, a son named Bowden.

Much to the amazement of viewers, Dianne didn’t take any time off from her Strictly duties while pregnant, as she continued dancing alongside celebrity partner Stefan Dennis before returning this autumn to dance with Will Best.

However, her appearance in recent weeks has sparked harsh comments online, with one individual suggesting she had purposely been dressed in ‘frumpy’ costumes since becoming a mum.

The professional dancer replied to a comment suggesting her outfits were ‘frumpy’ (Picture: Instagram)

Commenting underneath a video of the quickstep she and TV presenter Will did this weekend, the user wrote: ‘I don’t know what’s happened to wardrobe this year – I suspect a budget cut – also why do they keep dressing Diane in such frumpy looking costumes, she usually looks fabulous but some of this year’s creations have been a little strange 😢’

Dianne was quick to respond and proudly declared that she ‘loves’ her body.

‘I have loved all my outfits,’ began the red-haired star. ‘I had a baby 8 months ago I’m still breast feeding and I’m bigger than I have ever been so actually it’s just that I have more weight on me but I love my body and how I look in my costumes 💗🙏’

Keen to compliment Dianne, @sargeg2015 replied: ‘You look stunning in this dress! Love the choreography too. ❤️’

Sadly, this isn’t the first time Dianne has had to hit back at trolling or unkind comments.

Last series, the dancer, who is the only pro to compete while pregnant, shut down a vile message, which read: ‘I don’t want to see her dance being pregnant. It’s already feeling uncomfortable and she’s only starting to show. It’s really not appropriate’.

Dianne is paired with TV presenter Will Best this series (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)

Exposing the comment, Dianne reposted it and said: ‘I can’t believe in 2025 things like this are still being said.’

Earlier in the season, Dianne insisted she would be ‘doing everything she did before’ despite expecting a child.

‘Obviously, with lifts, there’s going to be a bit more caution. But my doctor has said everything is normal,’ she told Chris McCausland on their Winning Isn’t Everything podcast.

‘He said, basically, if you’ve done it before, in terms of being a dancer, and you’ve done this, done that, then crack on and keep doing what you’re doing,’ she added.

Dianne and Joe share much of their home life online, whether it be via vlogs or Insta snaps.

This included documenting Dianne’s pregnancy and now their journey into parenthood.

The star recently admitted she ‘misses’ her baby bump (Picture: Instagram/@diannebuswell) She and partner Joe Sugg welcomed son Bowden in March (Picture: Cove/SOPA Images/Shutterstock)

And following the arrival of baby Bowie, Dianne has been channelling Beyoncé while reflecting on how her appearance has changed.

Taking to Insta following the Strictly launch, the influencer posted a photo of her baby belly with the text ‘Strong enough to bear the children…’ before adding ‘Then get back to business’ alongside footage of her dancing with Will, who also became a first-time dad weeks ago.

The phrase was, of course, a reference to the smash hit Who Run the World (Girls), with Dianne admitting in her caption that she ‘misses’ her bump.

‘I also want to say to all mummas no matter what you do after giving birth you are all super woman there’s no right or wrong just your way don’t let any body make you feel otherwise 💙 all mummas are amazing 😻 [sic]’, she also wrote sweetly.

Strictly co-stars flocked to hype her up, with Amy Dowden commenting: ‘Your a super star and a super mum! Xxx’

‘D D!!!!YOU ARE INCREDIBLE 🌞💓💓💓’, wrote Nancy Xu, with Oti Mabuse adding, ‘Yes queen’.

Dianne and Will have managed to sail through the competition so far, avoiding all dance-offs.

This weekend, they placed in the middle of the leaderboard with 29 points after opening the show with their routine to This Love by Maroon 5. It earned them a six, a seven, and two eights.

Craig Revel Horwood said the performance needed ‘slight improvements’, while Anton Du Beke said Will ‘looked so lovely’ on the dance floor.

Head judge Shirley Ballas added: ‘This is a definite improvement; we are working in the right direction, sir!’

Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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