Strictly Come Dancing fans defend ‘not happy’ Dianne Buswell after ‘uncalled for’ judge comment

It came as the professional dancer was back in the famous ballroom alongside Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis

Strictly Come Dancing’s Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell(Image: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing fans have rushed to defend Dianne Buswell after what they claimed was an ‘uncalled for’ comment from one of the judges.

The professional dancer was back in the famous ballroom on Saturday night (October 4) alongside her new celebrity dance partner, Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis.

The pair were seen making their debut in the competition during week one last weekend, where they performed a Foxtrot to the Neighbours Theme by Barry Crocker.

After the performance, while Stefan indicated there was an issue with the dance, judge Anton Du Beke still called it a “brilliant effort”. But harsher critic, Craig Revel Horwood, quickly picked out how the dance was “littered with mistakes” as they finished with a score of 22.

Despite showing promise in the first live show of Strictly’s 2025 series, Stefan admitted to being ‘stumped’ by his latest routine, which the judges noted was littered with mistakes.

The actor, who is famed for playing Neighbours villain Paul Robinson for four decades, and reigning champion Dianne, who is pregnant with her first child, performed and 80s-themed cha cha to Give It Up by KC And The Sunshine Band, scoring 17.

Stefan and Dianne during their cha char during week two of Strictly’s 2025 series(Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA)

Motsie Mabuse described them as a “perfect partnership” but the judges suggestion that they should ‘rehearse’ went down like a lead balloon among Strictly viewers, with Dianne even admitting she didn’t know how they could rehearse more than they have.

@strictlylmx said: “I feel like telling the eldest contestant with the pregnant pro to rehearse more when they have been doing long days and its clear it was because of nerves and not lack of rehearsal is an extremely unfair thing to say #Strictly.”

@dreamofbuswell replied: “Uncalled for in my opinion, and also just not needed lol you could see it was down to nerves there was no need to try embarrass them.”

@dbuzz_strictly commented: “I’m sorry but its clear that stefan and dianne have been rehearsing all day, every day, all week…they can’t magic more time…such an uncalled for comment! #strictly.”

Fans spotted Dianne’s reaction to the comment

@sugwellsmarkle wrote: “Ngl if I were Dianne and Stefan I’d be fuming about the rehearse more comment like bro is the 8-10 hours not enough for you… it’s wild . Even for a dancer that’s a long rehearsal so wanting them to do more is just insane.”

@dreamofbuswell posted: “Dianne was NOT happy with the rehearse more comment and I’m glad because I nearly jumped out my seat in anger lol #strictly.”

@Alison_King_Fan added: “!!!!!! it’s an insult to dianne to insinuate that they need to rehearse more. you can practice something 100000 times and still make mistakes because of nerves and fear.. don’t undermine the hard work that’s been put in beforehand.”