Dianne Buswell has revealed her former Strictly Come Dancing partner Chris McCausland’s hilarious reaction to finally getting his hands on the Glitterball trophy.
Last year, the professional dancer, 36, and comedian, 47, made history on the BBC dance competition when they won the series — with McCausland becoming the show’s first-ever blind contestant.
The winners get their names engraved on the all-important Glitterball trophy, while both the celebrity and pro dancer are given smaller versions as mementos to keep.
While neither expected to win, McCausland did have one small gripe.
“He was like, ‘Di, I spent so many months dancing — and the trophy’s plastic!’” Buswell laughed while speaking to The Standard. “He wasn’t happy about it. I thought it would weigh more too, I’m not gonna lie.”
Buswell says the experience of working with McCausland was a career highlight and demanded an entirely new way of teaching.
“Every week was like our first week because Chris had no visual reference for the dances,” she explained. “I had to describe everything verbally — from the character to the movement — and we were starting from zero every time. It was hard, but it was so rewarding.”
That hard work paid off: their waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone earned them a TV BAFTA earlier this month for Most Memorable Moment.
Now, Buswell is taking on another teaching challenge — this time with fellow Aussie favourite Bluey. She’s choreographed a series of short routines for Bluey’s Dancealongs, airing weekly on the animated pup’s YouTube channel and social media.
Filmed at Bluey’s World in Brisbane, the one-to-three-minute dances are set to fan-favourite tracks like Lollipop Yum Yum Yum and Burger Dog, and are designed to be accessible to all ages.
“They're not Ballroom or Latin — they’re solo routines anyone can try,” said Buswell, who hails from Bunbury in Western Australia. “Kids will be able to pick up blocks of choreography and come back to them each week as they get better.”
She laughs when asked if she included Bluey’s signature move, the Floss.
“I actually don’t! I thought I’d leave that to Bluey. We’ve got plenty of dance moves, but I left the Floss alone.”
And she’s keen for the all-Aussie collaboration to continue.
“I would love to work with Bluey more in the future. There’s a film coming out, so who knows — maybe I’ll have a chat with them and see if they could get another red-headed Heeler in there. A dancing red Heeler. That would be the ultimate.”
With tickets now on sale for Bluey’s Big Play, a UK and Ireland stageshow tour, there may be more opportunities on the horizon — though Buswell’s jam-packed diary might be a challenge.
She’s also preparing to head out on tour this summer with fellow Strictly pro Vito Coppola. Burn the Floor presents Dianne and Vito – Red Hot and Ready! runs from June 11 to July 26, with stops including Bromley’s Churchill Theatre (June 19), London’s Shaftesbury Theatre (June 22), and Dartford’s Orchard Theatre (July 25).
“Rehearsals have just started and it’s so exciting,” she enthused. “We’ve been working on this for two years and now it’s finally happening. It’s not just dance — there are surprises in there too, like cooking, acting, and singing. I think it will shock a lot of people.”
She says her partnership with Coppola came naturally.
“Vito is Italian and reminds me so much of my mum’s side of the family, who are also Italian. I’ve always said he’s like my crazy cousin. We just got on from day one. It was a no-brainer that we’d do a show together.”
The red-haired favourite has also been confirmed to return for the new series of Strictly this autumn — but insists there’s no pressure to defend her title.
“Every series is different. You just try your best and take it as it comes. I’m just excited to be back.”
And as for that plastic trophy? Hers now lives in her home office as a reminder that sometimes, hard work really does pay off.
“It’s there to remind me that anything is possible. If you keep at it long enough, you might just get a prize.”
Watch Bluey Dancealongs starring Dianne Buswell on Official Bluey YouTube
Dianne & Vito, Red Hot & Ready tour 2025. Tickets available now from £44.50. DianneandVito.co.uk
