Strictly Come Dancing’s Dianne Buswell explains family reason behind tearful performance

Strictly Come Dancing pro Dianne Buswell has explained why she got emotional during Saturday’s (21 October) live performance.

Buswell and her partner, EastEnders star Bobby Brazier, performed a tango to “Fashion” by David Bowie.

After scoring 30 points from the judges, Buswell became emotional when talking to host Claudia Winkleman.

The Australian dancer, 34, said of Brazier during the interview: “He has just been a massive rock this week, so thank you,” before leaning into his chest and hugging him.

In a Q&A for her YouTube channel, the Strictly pro later revealed that her father, who lives in Australia, has been unwell.

“I thought I would be very upfront and honest with you all. Last week, I got some news about my dad’s health, and I won’t go into detail, but obviously that affected me,” she said.

“Being away from home and not being able to support and help your family in a time of need is quite a difficult thing, so I did struggle a little bit last week in terms of that.”

The dancer explained that “there is a little road ahead for my dad”, but believes “100 per cent he is going to be fine and we are all going to get through it together”.

She added that her father wants her to “keep going and keep dancing my little heart out and doing what I love because that makes him the absolute proudest”.

“Regardless [of whether] I go home with a Glitterball or not, I will still go home and have a hot Christmas,” she said.

Buswell joined the show in 2018, reaching the final with YouTuber Joe Sugg that year. The pair have been dating ever since.

It was presenter and comedian Eddie Kadi and his professional partner Karen Hauer who left the BBC competition on Sunday (22 October) after a tense dance-off with Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima.

All four judges opted to save former Love Island contestant and documentary host McDermott, with Motsi Mabuse calling the result “extremely close”.

Meanwhile, actor Amanda Abbington missed the Strictly live show on Saturday night “due to medical reasons”.

The Sherlock star was at the centre of a furore in the lead-up to the competition thanks to a resurfaced tweet about a drag show.

Strictly Come Dancing airs every Saturday on BBC One.