Strictly Come Dancing pro Dianne Buswell prompts concern as she misses filming the first group dance to mark the show's 'new era'

Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 07:31 EDT, 27 August 2026 | Updated: 07:32 EDT, 27 August 2026 She was one of the lucky professionals to survive Strictly Come Dancing’s mass cull of long-serving dancers.But Dianne Buswell was noticeably absent from the recording of the first group dance for this year’s series, the Daily Mail can reveal.The long-standing Strictly pro prompted concern among those at the recording this week, as she had been expected to take part.The Australian star, 37, who gave birth to her first child in March with partner Joe Sugg, was due to perform a group dance with the rest of this year’s professional dancers.Bosses had planned the high-octane routine, which will air during the launch show, as a way to introduce the five new dancers to viewers.An insider said: ‘It was really odd Dianne wasn’t there. Dianne Buswell was noticeably absent from the recording of the first group dance for this year’s series, the Daily Mail can reveal The Australian star, 37, who gave birth to her first child in March with partner Joe Sugg, was due to perform a group dance with the rest of this year’s professional dancers‘Producers had planned the dance for the specific reason of making a big fuss of the newbies and new era of Strictly.‘It was their very first group number together which was pretty spectacular and included big, glitzy props.'The mole added: ‘Lots of questions were asked during the breaks about where Dianne was but the crew were reluctant to say anything.’The BBC declined to comment on Ms Buswell's absence, but a show insider said: 'There's no need for fans to be concerned.'They added: '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.' Ms Buswell had been back at rehearsals with her co-stars and previously told her 1.2million Instagram followers how she would miss her baby boy Bowden ‘so much’ while away.The new series marks her ninth year on the show.Strictly is also where she met YouTube star Joe, 34, when he competed with her in 2018.She returns alongside Katya Jones, Kai Widdrington, Aljaž Škorjanec, Lauren Oakley, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Alexis Warr, Julian Caillon and Vito Coppola.While the five new faces are Ukrainian Aleksandra Isaeva, Italian hunk Cristian Priori, South African latin champion Lethabo Monametsi as well as Canadian dancer Mark Karmalita and UK National Ballroom Champion Maddie Ingoldsby.Despite notable changes to this year’s series, the iconic and recognisable set was rebuilt at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire earlier this month, where the dancers have been practicing. Strictly is where Dianne met YouTube star Joe, 34, when he competed with her in 2018Venezuelan dancer and Strictly’s longest-serving female pro Karen Hauer, was axed by producers along with Michelle Tsiakkas, Nadiya Bychkova, Luba Mushtuk and Gorka Marquez.Presenter Emma Willis, former dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe are taking over hosting duties from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down last year.The celebrity lineup has been lambasted by fans as the ‘worst ever’ in Strictly’s 22-year history.It includes former Love Island star Dani Dyer, Australian singer Delta Goodrem, dog trainer Graeme ‘The Dogfather Hall’ YouTuber John Nellis and actress Jaime Winstone.