Dianne Buswell gives birth! Strictly pro welcomes a baby boy with boyfriend Joe Sugg as she pays tribute to her father with her son’s sweet name

Dianne Buswell welcomed her first child with boyfriend Joe Sugg, paying tribute to her father Mark with the name of her newborn.

The couple, who met on a BBC program in 2018, announced that they were expecting their first child in September.

Dianne was the first professional in Strictly history to compete while pregnant, before her partner Stefan Dennis withdraws from the competition due to injury in 2025.

On Instagram on Wednesday, Dianne shared that she had given birth to a baby boy named Bowden; his son’s middle name was a nod to both his beloved father, Mark, and Joe’s late grandfather, Richard, who died in 2021.

Her post included a photo of her adorable son in Dianne’s arms and a photo of the moment she and Joe brought their baby boy home from the hospital.

Sharing his son’s full name, he wrote the following note in his post: ‘I have never felt such love. Baby Bowden Mark Richard Sugg. 16/03/26.’

Sharing on her Instagram account on Wednesday, Dianne shared that she gave birth to a baby boy named Bowden and shared sweet photos of the moment Bowden came home from the hospital.

Many of Dianne’s Strictly co-stars offered their congratulations in the comments, while Vicky Pattison wrote: ‘Oh my God!!!! Congratulations friends!!! ‘He is Perfect.’

Vito Coppola wrote: ‘Ah, bello di zio at last. I am so happy that I am crying with joy and happiness. Uncle Vito can’t wait to meet you ☺️ Love love love ♥️ Bellissimo a zio.’

Nancy Xu gushed: ‘Untie Nancy can’t wait to meet you, welcome to the world my beautiful angel. CONGRATULATIONS my DD and @joe_sugg.’

Janette Manrara commented: ‘Best news!!! Congratulations my beautiful daughter. I’m so happy for you and @joe_sugg. The best moments in life are near.’

Amy Dowden added: ‘Absolute perfection. I’m so happy for you both, welcome baby Bowden! Can’t wait for Cwtches xxxx.’

‘MY GOD!! Congratulations to you both!!!’ Shared by Gorka Marquez.

Fleur East shared: ‘Ahhhh he’s here! Congratulations to you both.’

Dianne shared the joyful pregnancy news on Instagram ahead of the final series of Strictly Come Dancing in September.

For the pregnancy trailer, poignantly set to Elton John’s Little Dancer, Dianne and Joe set up an easel and pretended to paint a painting, complete with fun drama.

They then took the canvas and showed it to the camera, revealing a drawing of two stick figures (one with Dianne’s signature flaming red hair) holding hands with a baby.

The couple announced that their first child would be born in 2026 and even revealed the gender of their baby and announced that they were expecting a boy.

Joe captioned the clip: ‘We can’t wait to meet you our little boy ❤️.’

The couple were inundated with congratulatory comments from friends and fans, with the Strictly stars leading the well-wishers.

Dianne hinted at the impending birth of their baby son in February with a sweet update.

He created a video montage of his and his partner Joe Sugg’s belongings and then added miniature versions of them.

Dianne said ‘we are waiting now’ after showing that she was ready for birth with her tiny clothes, shoes and even a special themed jumpsuit for the baby.

She captioned her Instagram post: ‘Soon there will be 2, the last one will be 3!’

The couple’s son’s middle name is a nod to both Dianne’s beloved father, Mark, and Joe’s late grandfather, Richard, who died in 2021.

Dianne went on to share a new photo of her son on her Instagram Stories as she shared the pronunciation of his son’s name

Many of Joe and Dianne’s Strictly co-stars congratulated the couple in the comments of their post

The couple, who met on the BBC show in 2018, announced they were expecting their first child in September, making Dianne the first professional to compete on Strictly While Pregnant.

Joe and Dianne struck up a romance when they met on the sixteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing in 2018.

Bosses are reportedly strictly implementing contingency plans for Dianne, who became the first pregnant star to enter the competition last year.

With the baby due in early 2026 and the finale in December 2025, she could potentially dance right up to her due date, forcing bosses to make sure they have a backup plan.

A source told Sun: ‘The producers have plans and there are a few professionals who can step in at a moment’s notice and take over because the show has to go on.

‘The BBC’s primary concern is Dianne’s health and welfare and they aim to fully support her throughout the process, with regular checks from the outreach team.’

Meanwhile, a Strictly source told the Daily Mail: ‘This storyline is making something out of thin air; ‘The plans announced have been available to everyone for a long time and it is misleading to claim otherwise.’

Dianne competed in last year’s series alongside Australian Neighbors actor Stefan Dennis, but the pair had to withdraw from the competition after he was injured.

The rumor mill quickly filled with people speculating that Stefan’s injury was actually covered up and that Dianne’s pregnancy was the reason they pulled out.

But Dianne rushed to Instagram to quash the rumors, writing: ‘To clarify, a lot of people think this is a message to me to cover up for not being able to dance!?

‘First of all, we don’t lie about someone being sick! Secondly, I’m fine, yes I’m pregnant but I’m also very talented and I feel really good!’

He also explained that protocols are in place regarding professionals’ illnesses, adding: ‘Thirdly, there is what needs to be done in case any professional becomes ill or injured.’

Dianne dropped plenty of hints about her baby plans in the months leading up to their pregnancy announcement, and admitted in May that she was desperate to become a mother.

But the star, who won the Glitterball Trophy with partner Chris McCausland in 2024, revealed the demanding demands of her showbiz career had put family plans on hold.

he said Sun: ‘I 100 percent want to have children. Joe and I love kids and this is definitely something we would absolutely love. I didn’t really think about how many I would want. It will definitely happen.’