Strictly's Diane Buswell hints at future contestant as she admits 'I'd love it'

Daily Mirror

2 days ago

The Australian dancer, who waltzed her way to victory last year with Chris McCausland, dropped a major hint about someone she'd like to work with this year
Dianne Buswell has dropped a huge hint about a potential new Strictly Come Dancing contestant who she would "love to dance with". In a chat with her former dance partner Chris McCausland, the Australian dancer revealed some tantalising insights into the forthcoming series of the BBC show.
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Among the things they talked about was potential addition's to this year's line-up partners and Dianne, who won last year's contest with Chris, admits she's found "the one". The comedian made Strictly history last year by becoming the show's first blind contestant.
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Since their victory, the pair have remained close friends and now host their own podcast Winning Isn't Everything. When asked if she knew which celebrities would be on the next series, Dianne said she had heard someone from Neighbours might be in the line-up.
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That someone is rumoured to Ramsay Street legend Stefan Dennis, who has played Paul Robinson since the very first episode aired in 1985. The mere idea of doing the Paso Doble with soap royalty exicted Dianne.
"I have no idea, Chris!" she said, "I heard that there's gonna be someone from Neighbours, which would be sick! I would love to dance with an Aussie!
"That's what I've heard. Someone told me this. Was it you, actually? No, you didn't tell me. Someone told me, 'Oh, word on the street is there's a guy from Neighbours that's gonna be in it'. And I was like, 'Oh, that would be sick! That would be so cool!'"
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When asked if the rumoured participant would be a past or present star, Dianne responded that she believed the gossip pertained to an "old veteran", sparking speculation among the podcast hosts about the potential identity.
Chris put forward Ian Smith, who plays Harold Bishop, but Dianne dismissed this as unlikely. However, when Stefan was suggested, she confirmed he's the "one" and "definitely" the subject of the rumour.
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Earlier this month, similar whispers surfaced that Stefan had joined Strictly now that Neighbours filming had wrapped up at Nunawading Studios in Australia. This came ahead of the soap airing its final episodes in December after it was cancelled by Amazon earlier this year.
Three years ago, the online retail behemoth revived the soap after it was axed by Channel 5. However, that specific agreement has now expired, and the final episode was recorded on July 11.
This means that Stefan should be available to participate in Strictly if the rumours hold water. An insider disclosed to The Sun: "Stefan is a huge character on the soap and is sure to be a hit with Strictly fans.
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"BBC bosses are confident Stefan will bring in the ratings. He has made no secret of the fact that he would love to star on Strictly and will put his all into the training."
Apart from Stefan, other celebrities rumoured to be joining this year's Strictly line-up include actress Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki in EastEnders, reality star Vicky Pattison and former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan.
Ex-Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner, jockey Rachael Blackmore, reality star Stacey Solomon and Queen Camilla's son Tom Parker Bowles are also rumoured to be part of this year's show.