Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell has responded to claims that her partner Stefan Dennis’ exit from the BBC One competition show was ‘planned’.
The Neighbours star, best known for playing the iconic villain Paul Robinson, has been forced to withdraw from the competition due to a tear in his calf muscle.
Strictly professional dancer Buswell, 36, has now hit back at claims the move was a coordinated one, given the dancer is currently pregnant with her first child with partner Joe Sugg.
Taking to her Instagram Story, Buswell shared a screenshot of a fan’s comment hypothesising as much, replying with a strong statement.
The fan comment in question read: ‘To be honest I saw this coming, Diane couldn’t really continue especially when she gets bigger, bless her. She’s a brilliant dancer and she is one of my favourites sorry to say but I think this was planned to keep her and baby safe, just my thought.’
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Sharing the comment, Buswell replied: ‘I sound like a broken record but I’m seeing a bit of this floating around again! I know people say ignore it but actually why should I?
‘I will speak up… I would love nothing more than to keep dancing this week next week the week after that so on and so forth. In fact I have more energy this year than I did this time last year.’
She then added: ‘Please respect Stefan who is extremely gutted to not be able to dance and stop presuming this was a set up! Because believe me we would if we could!’
Following the announcement Buswell shared a clip of the pair walking out onto the Strictly ballroom for what would be their last dance.
In the caption, she wrote: ‘Stefo I’m so sorry our Strictly journey was cut short just as that confidence was starting to grow.
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‘But you can walk away with your head held high. You can go home to your wonderful wife, put your hand out and say would you like to Cha Cha Cha with me.
‘The main reason for being on this show was to be able to dance with her and you can certainly do that now. You are the kindest human I have ever worked with and I can always say I got to dance with the iconic neighbours legend Stefan Dennis or as my dad calls ya Paul Robertson.’
Dennis’ exit was confirmed during Monday night’s episode of It Takes Two, with a statement from the soap legend which said he was ‘devastated’ to be leaving just as he hit his stride with his confidence.
‘This morning I woke up to the most disappointing day of my Strictly journey,’ the statement began.
‘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.’
‘I can’t tell you how devastated I am to have to leave so prematurely,’ he continued.
‘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).’
Ever the joker, Dennis added a note that will make Neighbours fans smile: ‘Fun fact for all the avid Neighbours fans… it’s the same leg!’
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday night on BBC One.
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