Strictly 2021: Dianne Buswell says Anton Du Beke joining judging panel will be ‘bittersweet’

Dianne Buswell spoke out on Anton Du Beke joining the judging panel (Picture: Rex)

Strictly Come Dancing pro Dianne Buswell has described the feeling of seeing Anton Du Beke join the judging panel as ‘bittersweet’ and we’re right there with her.

Pro dancer Anton is finally getting his chance to sit on the judging panel for a full series, as he stands in for Bruno Tonioli, who can’t make it this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dianne, who’s returning to the show this year along with four new pro dancers, is excited to see her pal in the hot seat but admitted she’ll miss ‘fabulous’ Bruno.

‘Bruno was also fabulous and the show will miss Bruno. But it’s bittersweet because we’ve got the added bonus of having Anton – so there’s pluses to everything!’ she told Metro.co.uk in line with launching the second series of her podcast, Di’s Salon.

The pro dancers said goodbye to two of their pals this year, although the pair of them will still be sticking around in the Strictly family.

While Bruno is headed to the judges panel to give his take on the dances alongside Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse, Janette Manrara has taken over from Zoe Ball to host It Takes Two.

Anton will be sat at the judges’ table (Picture: PA)

‘Obviously we’ve had two [dancers] leave which is always sad because you are genuinely like a family. It’s sad to see old ones go but it is really exciting to welcome new ones in as well!’ Dianne added.

Recalling that it was ’emotional’ seeing them go, Dianne pointed out: ‘They’re still going to be in the Strictly family because Anton’s going to be there every week judging and Janette is going to be there on It Takes Two so we kind of got a good deal there I think! They haven’t really left us.’

While this year’s series of Strictly is still a while away and details of the line-up are being kept under wraps (although rumours are swirling as always), Dianne revealed that for the pro dancers, the journey starts very soon.

Bruno will be missed on the show (Picture: PA)

‘Pro rehearsals will start really shortly,’ she explained. ‘I’m so excited about that, to get the dance shoes back on and to dance again is like, oh my god a dream come true.

‘I can’t wait for that. This last period before it starts up goes so slowly. I’m counting down the hours and minutes!’

You and us both Dianne!

While fans have still got a wait in store before the series starts, there is some good news ahead – Strictly will be almost back to its pre-pandemic glory with a full-length series and themed weeks returning.

Series two of Di’s Salon is out now (Picture: BBC Radio 1)

However, it seems Blackpool won’t be back for another year.

Dianne is keeping herself busy ahead of Strictly with the return of her podcast, Di’s Salon.

‘I have some really great celebs that come in,’ she teased. ‘I have guests like Jamie Laing, Candice Brathwaite, I have Janette Manrara, Dr Ranj [Singh], I’ve done so many! Ellie Diamond, Arielle Free – honestly, every single person I’ve spoken to, I think I’ve gone away saying, “That was my favourite one!”‘

‘Candice was really moving,’ she recalled. ‘She obviously has her trademark shaved head and she said at 16 years old, there was this woman she saw in New York City and she said it was like time stood still.

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‘She saw this Black woman walking across the street with a shaved head and she just thought, “She is so powerful, I want to do that.” And she had a full ‘fro, so it was quite a lot to go and then shave it off, but she knew instantly that that woman looked so powerful, so she wanted to be like that woman.

‘So that encouraged her to shave her hair off and it’s been her signature look ever since.’

 Radio 1’s Di’s Salon is available now on BBC Sounds.

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