First Strictly 2026 group dance 'recorded' but pro dancer Dianne Buswell 'missing'
Dianne is back for her 9th seriesDianne Buswell remains part of Strictly Come Dancing’s 2026 plans after missing the first professional group dance recording.
Her absence reportedly sparked concern among people at filming.
The Australian dancer had reportedly been expected to perform with her fellow professionals in the launch routine.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 introduces five new professionals
Strictly bosses designed this year’s opening routine to introduce the incoming dancers and mark a new era for the programme.
The performance reportedly featured large, glitzy props. It also brought the new professional cast together for their first group number.
The five new Strictly Come Dancing professionals joining in 2026 come from across the world.
They include Ukrainian Latin dancer Aleksandra Isaeva, Italian champion Cristian Priori and South African champion Lethabo Monametsi.
Canadian dancer Mark Karmalita and British ballroom champion Maddie Ingoldsby complete the new intake.
Changes extend beyond the dance floor. Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe will take over presenting duties.
They replace Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down last year.
Karen Hauer, Gorka Marquez, Michelle Tsiakkas, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk have left the professional line-up.
The celebrity cast includes Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Graeme Hall, John Nellis and Jaime Winstone.
Dianne Buswell’s Strictly absence raised questions at filming
People attending the recent recording reportedly expected Dianne to take part in the opening group number.
One insider told the Daily Mail: “It was really odd Dianne wasn’t there.”
Those at the recording asked about Dianne during breaks, according to the newspaper.
However, in a statement to TV Guide, a Strictly source said: “There’s no need for fans to be concerned. As is standard on Strictly, not every Pro dancer appears in every group routine. Dianne has been busy rehearsing with all her fellow Pros over the past month, and will feature in the majority of group numbers this series.”
Dianne Buswell returns for ninth Strictly series before 2026 launch date
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 will mark Dianne’s ninth year on the BBC competition.
She returns alongside established dancers including Katya Jones, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu and Nikita Kuzmin.
Neil Jones, Vito Coppola, Lauren Oakley and Aljaž Škorjanec are also back for the new series.
Her return follows the birth of her first child with Joe Sugg in March. Dianne told her Instagram followers she would miss baby Bowden while working away.
Dianne and Joe first met through Strictly in 2018. The YouTube star competed on the programme with Dianne as his professional partner.
Strictly Come Dancing 2026 is reportedly due to launch on Saturday 19 September. It will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The filmed group dance will feature during the launch show. The episode will also reveal the celebrity-professional pairings.
TVGuide has contacted Dianne’s representatives for comment.
Strictly returns on Saturday, September 19 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI technology to synthesise source reporting and structured data. It has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our human editorial team before publication.
