'My dream Strictly celeb is Chris Hemsworth'

Dancer Dianne Buswell chats about the forthcoming series of Strictly and why she's especially fond of Movie Week

-  NIKKI ONAFUYE & EVE MACDONALD

Despite the controversy surrounding Strictly Come Dancing, one of the show’s most popular professional dancers, Dianne Buswell, couldn’t be more excited about the upcoming series.

Taking a night off from a demanding rehearsal schedule, as the show prepares for its 20th anniversary series, the 35-year-old Australian – who has been in a relationship with YouTube star Joe Sugg, 32, since they were partnered on the show in 2018 – posed on the red carpet at the National Reality TV Awards last week.

But behind the scenes, the BBC show – which she has been a part of since 2017 – is facing wave after wave of scandal, as dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice have both been axed from the line-up of professionals.

Graziano was dismissed for “gross misconduct” towards his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, who he has since admitted to kicking during rehearsals last series. And claims made by last year’s contestant Amanda Abbington have hit the headlines after the actress disclosed to Channel 4 News her complaints to the BBC about Giovanni’s “aggressive behaviour” during rehearsals – something he denies.