Dianne Buswell Strictly is a search term that reflects the Australian dancer’s remarkable career on one of Britain’s best-known dance programmes. Since joining Strictly Come Dancing in 2017, Buswell has built a reputation for her energetic performances, strong choreography and memorable partnerships with celebrity contestants.
Her journey has included early setbacks, two runner-up finishes and, eventually, a historic victory with comedian Chris McCausland in 2024. Beyond the ballroom, her Strictly career has also connected her with Joe Sugg, who became her long-term partner after they met on the show.
This guide explores Dianne Buswell’s career, her Strictly partners, her biggest achievements and the moments that have helped make her one of the programme’s most recognisable professional dancers.
Key Takeaways
- Dianne Buswell joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2017.
- Her first celebrity partner was Reverend Richard Coles.
- She reached the final with Joe Sugg in 2018 and Bobby Brazier in 2023.
- Buswell won the 2024 series with comedian Chris McCausland.
- Her relationship with Joe Sugg began after they were paired together on Strictly in 2018.
- Before Strictly, Buswell built an international career through competitive ballroom and Latin dancing, television and the stage.
Biography Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dianne Claire Buswell |
| Date of Birth | 6 May 1989 |
| Age | 37 |
| Birthplace | Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Profession | Professional ballroom and Latin dancer, television personality |
| Education | Not widely documented publicly |
| Years Active | 2011–present |
| Known For | Strictly Come Dancing, competitive dance and television appearances |
| Major Achievements | Strictly champion in 2024; Australian Open champion; four-time Amateur Australian Open finalist |
| Estimated Net Worth | No reliably established public figure |
Dianne Buswell’s Journey Before Strictly Come Dancing
Dianne Buswell’s success on Strictly Come Dancing was built on years of dance training and competition experience.
She was born in Bunbury, Western Australia, and began dancing as a child. According to her Burn the Floor profile, she started dancing at the age of five after being inspired by her brothers. She later competed in ballroom and Latin events at state, national and international level.
Her competitive career included becoming an Australian Open champion and reaching the Amateur Australian Open final four times. She also achieved success in Western Australia alongside her brother Andrew Buswell.
At 18, Buswell auditioned for So You Think You Can Dance Australia, reaching the top 20 female dancers in the country. She subsequently joined the international touring production Burn the Floor, where she developed extensive experience as a professional performer.
Her experience eventually led her back to television. In 2015, she appeared as a professional dancer on Australia’s Dancing with the Stars, partnering Australian rules footballer Jude Bolton.
These experiences gave Buswell a strong foundation when she moved into British television.
When Did Dianne Buswell Join Strictly?
Dianne Buswell joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2017 as a professional dancer. She became part of the show’s professional lineup for its 15th series.
Her arrival marked an important stage in her international career. Although she was already an experienced competitive and touring dancer, Strictly introduced her to a much wider British television audience.
Her first celebrity partner was Reverend Richard Coles. Their partnership ended relatively early in the competition after they lost a dance-off.
That first season did not produce a long run, but it gave Buswell an opportunity to establish herself as one of the show’s professional dancers.
Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg
One of the most memorable chapters of Dianne Buswell’s Strictly career began in 2018.
She was paired with YouTuber and presenter Joe Sugg during the 16th series. Their partnership quickly became one of the season’s most talked-about pairings, and they progressed all the way to the final.
Although they did not win the Glitterball Trophy, reaching the final represented a major breakthrough for Buswell.
Their professional relationship also developed into a personal relationship. Buswell and Sugg began dating in 2018 after meeting on Strictly and have remained together.
Their story is an unusual part of the show’s history because a professional-celebrity partnership continued beyond the competition itself.
Dianne Buswell’s Strictly Celebrity Partners
Across her Strictly career, Buswell has worked with a range of celebrities from different professional backgrounds. Each partnership has presented a different challenge because professional dancers must adapt their choreography and teaching style to their celebrity partner’s experience, confidence and physical ability.
Some of her notable partnerships include:
| Year | Celebrity Partner | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Reverend Richard Coles | Eliminated in the early stages |
| 2018 | Joe Sugg | Finalists |
| 2019 | Dev Griffin | Withdrew from the competition |
| 2020 | Max George | Eliminated during the series |
| 2021 | Robert Webb | Withdrew from the competition |
| 2022 | Tyler West | Reached the later stages |
| 2023 | Bobby Brazier | Runners-up |
| 2024 | Chris McCausland | Winners |
| 2025 | Stefan Dennis | Withdrew following injury |
The exact structure and length of a Strictly partnership can vary from year to year, but Buswell’s record demonstrates her ability to work with celebrities with very different levels of dance experience.
Reaching the Strictly Final with Bobby Brazier
Buswell returned to the final in 2023, this time partnered with actor and model Bobby Brazier.
Their partnership developed throughout the series and eventually took them to the final, where they finished as runners-up. Buswell therefore reached the final for a second time after her earlier appearance with Joe Sugg.
The result was significant because it demonstrated that Buswell’s success with Sugg was not simply a one-off. She had established herself as a professional capable of taking another celebrity contestant to the final.
Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland
The biggest achievement of Dianne Buswell’s Strictly career came in 2024, when she was partnered with comedian Chris McCausland.
McCausland is blind due to retinitis pigmentosa, meaning the partnership required a different approach to choreography, communication and rehearsal. Their eventual success became one of the defining stories of that series.
Buswell and McCausland won the series and lifted the Glitterball Trophy in December 2024.
Their victory was particularly notable because it demonstrated that competitive ballroom television can be adapted around different abilities and learning approaches. Rather than relying simply on conventional choreography, the partnership developed through communication, trust and careful rehearsal.
For Buswell, the victory also completed a journey that had already included two previous final appearances.
What Made Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland Successful?
Several factors contributed to the strength of their partnership.
Strong Communication
A professional dancer must be able to explain movement in ways that make sense to their celebrity partner. With McCausland, communication was especially important because he could not rely on visual demonstrations in the same way as a sighted contestant.
Adaptable Choreography
Their routines had to be carefully constructed around McCausland’s needs while still allowing the performances to feel entertaining and competitive.
Trust
Dance partnerships depend heavily on trust. That became particularly important as Buswell and McCausland progressed through increasingly demanding routines.
Personality
The pair also benefited from a strong sense of humour and an obvious rapport. Their performances connected with viewers because the partnership felt authentic rather than purely technical.
Dianne Buswell’s Dancing Style
Buswell’s background spans both ballroom and Latin dance, giving her a broad technical foundation.
Her performances on Strictly often combine precise choreography with energetic presentation. As a professional, she also has to adjust her approach depending on the celebrity partner.
A professional dancer on Strictly is not simply performing alongside a celebrity. They are also responsible for teaching, choreographing, rehearsing and helping their partner develop confidence under considerable time pressure.
That makes Buswell’s long-term success particularly significant.
Dianne Buswell’s Career Beyond Strictly
Although Strictly Come Dancing is her best-known television role, Buswell’s career extends well beyond the BBC ballroom.
She has worked in live dance productions, television and digital media. Her stage work has included Burn the Floor, Here Come the Girls and Strictly The Professionals.
She also developed a substantial online presence through YouTube, where she shares dance, lifestyle and behind-the-scenes content.
In 2021, she presented Di’s Salon, a BBC Sounds podcast. She later appeared in the BBC One series Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof.
Her work with Chris McCausland also continued after their Strictly victory through the podcast Winning Isn’t Everything, which they began in 2025.
Dianne Buswell’s Personal Life
Dianne Buswell’s personal life has attracted considerable public interest because of her relationship with Joe Sugg.
The pair met while competing together on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018. Their relationship continued after the series and became one of the better-known romances to emerge from the programme.
In 2026, Buswell and Sugg welcomed their first child, a son named Bowden Mark Richard Sugg.
Buswell has continued to balance her professional career with family life. Her return to Strictly after becoming a mother has added another chapter to her career and demonstrates the changing demands on professional dancers working in television.
Dianne Buswell’s Return to Strictly After Becoming a Mother
Buswell’s return to Strictly in 2026 has been another notable stage in her career.
After giving birth to her son in March 2026, she faced the physical challenge of returning to professional dance. Recent reporting has highlighted her concerns during recovery and her determination to get back on the dance floor.
Her experience also illustrates how demanding professional dance can be. A televised competition requires stamina, flexibility, strength and repeated rehearsal, making a return after childbirth a significant physical undertaking.
Her continued presence on the show has allowed her to take on a different role within the professional group as well, including supporting newer dancers.
Why Dianne Buswell Has Become a Strictly Favourite
Buswell’s popularity is not based on one particular routine or result.
Several elements have contributed to her profile:
- Technical experience: She entered Strictly with years of competitive and professional dance experience.
- Adaptability: She has partnered celebrities with very different personalities and abilities.
- Performance energy: Her choreography often combines technical movement with an accessible performance style.
- Long-term consistency: Multiple final appearances and a series victory demonstrate sustained success.
- Strong audience connection: Her personality has helped her build an audience beyond the ballroom.
- Versatility: Her work spans television, stage performances, podcasting and digital content.
Dianne Buswell’s Biggest Strictly Achievement
Without question, Buswell’s most important Strictly achievement is winning the 2024 series with Chris McCausland.
However, her overall journey is more significant when viewed as a progression rather than a single victory.
She began with an early elimination alongside Richard Coles in 2017. One year later, she reached the final with Joe Sugg. Five years later, she returned to the final with Bobby Brazier. In 2024, she finally won the Glitterball Trophy with McCausland.
That progression makes her Strictly career particularly compelling: it shows how experience, adaptation and persistence can turn early disappointment into long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Dianne Buswell join Strictly Come Dancing?
Dianne Buswell joined Strictly Come Dancing as a professional dancer in 2017. Her first celebrity partner was Reverend Richard Coles.
Has Dianne Buswell won Strictly?
Yes. Dianne Buswell won Strictly Come Dancing in 2024 with comedian Chris McCausland.
Who was Dianne Buswell’s first Strictly partner?
Her first celebrity partner on the main Strictly Come Dancing competition was Reverend Richard Coles in 2017.
How many times has Dianne Buswell reached the Strictly final?
Buswell reached the final in 2018 with Joe Sugg and again in 2023 with Bobby Brazier before winning the competition with Chris McCausland in 2024.
Who is Dianne Buswell’s partner?
Dianne Buswell has been in a relationship with Joe Sugg since 2018. They met when they were paired together on Strictly Come Dancing.
Where is Dianne Buswell from?
Dianne Buswell is from Bunbury in Western Australia, Australia. She began dancing there as a child before developing an international professional career.
What did Dianne Buswell do before Strictly?
Before joining Strictly, Buswell competed in ballroom and Latin dancing, appeared on Australian television and toured internationally with Burn the Floor. She also appeared on Australia’s Dancing with the Stars.
Did Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg meet on Strictly?
Yes. Buswell and Sugg were paired together for the 2018 series of Strictly Come Dancing, and their professional partnership later developed into a relationship.
Conclusion
Dianne Buswell‘s Strictly Come Dancing journey is a story of progression, adaptability and perseverance. From joining the professional lineup in 2017 to reaching multiple finals and eventually winning the Glitterball Trophy with Chris McCausland in 2024, she has established herself as one of the show’s most recognisable dancers.
Her career also extends beyond the competition. Years of ballroom and Latin training, international stage work, television appearances and digital projects have helped shape her into a versatile performer.
What makes the dianne buswell strictly story especially interesting is that her success did not arrive immediately. Her journey included early elimination, near misses and multiple attempts before she finally became a champion. That combination of experience and persistence remains central to her place in Strictly Come Dancing history.
