Dianne Buswell on 'conspiracy theories' around Stefan Dennis leaving Strictly Come Dancing 2025
'It's not a conspiracy theory'...Strictly Come Dancing duo Dianne Buswell and Stefan Dennis have set the record straight over ‘conspiracy theories’ that have emerged over them leaving the show.
The Neighbours star was forced to quit this year’s Strictly Come Dancing competition after suffering an injury over the weekend. The Aussie, who was partnered with Dianne Buswell, was confirmed to have left the BBC show on Monday, October 20.
The pair joined It Takes Two tonight (Wednesday, October 22). The programme features behind the scenes special episodes that air mid-week ahead of Strictly on the weekend. Dianne and Stefan joined to discuss their time on the show and how they feel about their early exit.
Stefan and Dianne open up on It Takes Two
“Sadly, I got an injury on Saturday. It was diagnosed yesterday and I was told the bad news that I tore my calf muscle quite badly that I can’t dance for the rest of the competition… Well I can’t dance full stop,” explained Stefan on the It Takes Two sofa.
But the Strictly pro had her own statement over the pair having to leave the competition early.
She said: “It’s not a conspiracy theory. I feel great and I would love to continue with Stefan.”
Dianne added: “I wish you the best in your recovery, you were absolutely phenomenal and I enjoyed my time with you so, so much. I am very proud of you.
“It was so much fun, he definitely brought me a bit of ‘home’. It was the first time I had a fellow Aussie dancer with me and I have enjoyed it.”
Dianne later said over their journey so far: “We worked, as everyone does, we worked extremely hard. It’s been a rocky road…”
Stefan chimed in: “Apart from I had great fear and trepidations on the first dances, then being lumbered with vertigo and came back with a bang. I thought ‘this is it’, and then…” He referenced his calf injury.
During a confessional on screen, the Neighbours star confessed: “To leave the show is disappointing, because it’s been fun! I am over the moon I got Dianne as a partner because she has the patience of a saint and she has a great aura about her.”
Stefan then called it an ‘amazing experience’. He vowed he’ll dance with his wife after learning some tips from the pro!
Stefan Dennis quits Strictly Come Dancing 2025
At the beginning of the week, Strictly Come Dancing confirmed the sad news on their Instagram page.
They issued a statement on behalf of Stefan that read: “This morning I woke up to the most disappointing day of the time in my Strictly journey.
“Just when I had finally gained the confidence to do well with my dancing in the comp and achieve more great dances along the way, I was told that on Saturday I had torn my calf so significantly that I am now forced to withdraw from the show.”
He went on: “I can’t tell you how devastated I am to have to leave so prematurely especially, as there has been, and still is, so much love and support from everyone for both Dianne and myself.
“I owe both the Strictly Family and Dianne a massive debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being able to dance with my wife. (When my leg is better) Fun fact for all the avid Neighbours fans… it’s the same leg!”
Meanwhile Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios said: “We’ve adored having Stefan on Strictly Come Dancing. And are heartbroken that his Strictly journey – and his fantastic partnership with Dianne Buswell – has been cut short.
“It’s been a joy to see him embrace the series with such enthusiasm. And we really hope that, once better, he will keep dancing.”
‘Have some respect’
It also comes after Dianne was forced to respond to claims the pair had to leave the competition due to her pregnancy.
Dianne, who has been open about her pregnancy since the start of the show this year, hit back at one follower’s claim the injury was ‘fake’.
She urged fans to ‘have some respect’ for the Aussie actor. She explained she was devastated to be out of the competition.
The pair danced Charleston to Dance Monkey by Tones And I, and made it through to week five. Stefan and Dianne had scored 26 out of 40 for their performance, which is the highest of the competition so far.
Dianne is currently pregnant with her and partner Joe Suggs’ first child together. She became the first professional dancer to appear on the show live while expecting.
Fans had fears over her and her baby boy’s health. But the pro explained she received the all-clear from her doctor beforehand.
Speaking on her and McCausland’s podcast, Winning Isn’t Everything, she said her doctor advised that because she had been dancing since she was five years old, she didn’t need to stop after falling pregnant.
“I’m still doing everything I did before,” she said. “Obviously with lifts there’s going to be a bit more caution. But my doctor has said everything is normal.”
She added: “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.”
Read more: Dianne Buswell breaks silence after Stefan Dennis forced to exit show
Strictly continues on Saturday, October 25 at 6.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. While Strictly: It Takes Two airs every weeknight, Monday to Friday, on BBC Two at 6.30pm, alongside the show.
