Shirley Ballas

Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell and YouTuber Joe Sugg have shared an emotional farewell with fans before welcoming their first child together

Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell and YouTube star Joe Sugg have shared an emotional update with fans as they prepare to welcome their first child together.

Posting on YouTube, the pair revealed that their latest Vlogmas series will be their last as a duo, with Joe telling viewers that next Christmas will look very different for them as a family of three.

Closing the final instalment of the vlog, Joe became reflective as he thanked fans for their continued support. “That, is it. The end of the vlog and the end of Vlogmas,” he said. “This is two or three years in a row now, I can’t remember, but I just want to say thank you very much to everybody that has watched these vlogs, followed them along, followed the build-up to Christmas Day.”

He went on to describe how meaningful the tradition has been for him, adding: “Thank you very much, it’s been fun. It’s always an absolute joy to do. I love it. Being able to watch back on memories, especially around such a lovely time of year. So, thank you for having interest in it and being a part of your day.”

Joe then hinted at the major life change ahead, telling viewers he expected the year to come to bring something new. “I will see you all in the new year in 2026, which I am predicting is going to be quite a different year to our normal years,” he said, before delivering the heartfelt update. “This is the end of the last Vlogmas that we’ll ever do as a two. This time next year there will be three of us.”

The couple announced their pregnancy in September, sharing a video on Instagram that showed them painting together on a canvas. After several brushstrokes, they revealed a simple illustration of two stick figures holding hands with a smaller figure between them, alongside the date “2026”.

Soundtracked by Sir Elton John’s Tiny Dancer , the post was captioned: “Our little baby boy. We cannot wait to meet you.”

The announcement prompted an outpouring of congratulations from across the Strictly Come Dancing family. Judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse, as well as professional dancer Johannes Radebe, were among those sending their well wishes. Fellow dancer Amy Dowden wrote: “Still screaming, dancing and celebrating! So so happy for you both! Magical. Auntie Ames can’t wait.”

Documentary-maker Stacey Dooley, who found love on the show with Kevin Clifton and now shares a daughter called Minnie with him, responded enthusiastically, writing: “YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES.”

Buswell and Sugg first met when they were paired on the 16th series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, later confirming their relationship off the dancefloor. Buswell recently competed in the latest series of the show, having won the glitterball trophy last year alongside comedian Chris McCausland, the programme’s first blind winner.

Fans were quick to share support for the couple on YouTube. One user wrote: “Congratulations Joe on completing Vlogmas. I have really enjoyed watching you and Dianne preparing your little boy’s room and sharing your own memories of childhood.”

Another wrote: “Thank you Joe, I really enjoyed all of Vlogmas with you, Dianne, baby bump and your families. Best wishes for Christmas and the new year. I’ll be looking forward to watching more in 2026.”

Strictly’s head judge Shirley Ballas admits it will be ‘sad’ to film the BBC dance programme without Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as the hosts after their unexpected exit

Shirley Ballas has revealed her true thoughts on Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman quitting Strictly Come Dancing. The presenting duo announced in October that they would be departing the series this year after over two decades on the programme.

While they didn’t give any indication as to why they made the decision to step back, the pair simply told fans they were passing over the “baton” to new presenters. But for head judge Shirley, 65, she admits that it will be “sad” to return to the dance studio without the bubbly pair.

In a new interview, Wallasey-born Shirley has revealed she was “surprised” when she heard that they were stepping down after 11 years fronting the BBC show. Winkleman, 53, and Daly, 56, had fronted the series together since 2014, and their last appearance presenting the show together was during its pre-recorded festive episode, which aired on Christmas Day.

“Everyone was surprised,” Ballas said. She went on to tell Saga Magazine, for their January issue: “I share the changing room next to them, and they are full of giggles and laughter.

“They also showed me the way from when I joined until now, so it will be a sad day when they go.” Shirley, who admits she had no TV experience when she joined the show, made her debut as head judge in September 2017. But while Shirley has appeared on nine seasons of the show, she almost quit the year after she joined.

“I didn’t know if I wanted the job back because of the intrusion, people selling stories, the constant criticism,” she explained. But it was her son, fellow dancer Mark, who encouraged Shirley to stay on the show. He told his mother that the programme would give her a platform to shout about causes she’s passionate about.

But while Shirley was shocked about Tess and Claudia’s decision to exit, the stars of this years series found out when the pair made a public announcement. “We’d just finished on Lorraine, and we just looked at our phones and we saw it on social media,” actor Lewis Cope said.

He added: “We were so shocked. And then we were told later, it had to be that way, and they couldn’t really give anyone a heads up.” This, however, hasn’t stopped several celebs being linked to the job. These include Zoe Ball, who previously hosted It Takes Two, former professional dancer Janette Manrara and Roman Kemp.

However, Chief Content Officer for the BBC, Kate Phillips, has been sifting through dozens of names. She said on the Rest Is Entertainment podcast that her emails had been “inundated” with people sharing their interest.

“We have had so many people who are keen to be considered, which is great,” she said. This year, it wasn’t just Tess and Claudia’s unexpected exit which saw a major change to Strictly, the casting vote in the dance off also rotated between Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton du Beke.

“They called me about the idea and I loved it,” she said of the new decision. Shirley added: “It’s onerous; quite often there’s just a hair’s breadth in it, so it makes sense to share it. And when I spoke to Craig [Revel Horwood], he said, ‘Darling I’ve been waiting 21 years to send somebody home.’ It made his day.”

The full interview is available in Saga Magazine’s January issue.

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