Strictly’s Dianne Buswell issued warning in ‘major blow’ as she and Stefan Dennis drop out of live show liennhi
STRICTLY'S Dianne Buswell has been issued a warning in a 'major blow' after she and Stefan Dennis dropped out of Saturday's live show.
The Aussie duo were unable to perform during Movie Week on Saturday, after Neighbours actor Stefan had fallen ill earlier in the week.
Doctors advised the 66-year-old to rest up, and the couple have a bye through to
But now Dianne has received a warning from a former Strictly star about the impact a missing week could have.
Debbie McGee, who reached the final of the show in 2017, said she had missed Dianne and Stefan and their 'lovely connection'.
But she added to the Express: "My biggest concern is that it can be hard to come back after a week off.
"You've lost of the flow of rehearsals, when you're doing something everyday your brain and body clicks in, and it can be hard to get that back.
"To have a week off, you can lose the muscle memory, so I really hope he comes back fighting fit and nothing will have been lost.
"I think people have been enjoying watching them, and will want to see them do well."
Her words come after Dianne was forced to hit back at conspiracy theories that they hadn't performed because of her
Dianne is expecting her first child with partner Joe Sugg and some fans of the show weirdly thought Stefan's illness was a 'cover up' for the pro dancer.
But taking to Instagram, she wrote: "Just to clarify as I have had lots of people msg me thinking this is a cover up for me being not able to dance!?
"Firstly we wouldn't lie especially about somebody being sick!
"And secondly I am fine, yes I am pregnant but I'm also very capable and feeling really good!"
The BBC statement that was released on Friday said: ""Due to illness over the past few days,
"In line with the rules of Strictly, Stefan and Dianne will receive a bye through to
Eclusive: James Jordan rips into Strictly Come Dancing - insisting half of the 'tired' cast should be AXED and complaining that 'woke' judges have 'gone way too soft' liennhi
Former Strictly Come Dancing pro James Jordan has suggested that half of the cast of the dancing competition should be axed and replaced with fresh faces.
The dancer, who is currently on tour alongside fellow ex-professionals
James, 47, who appeared on Strictly from 2006 to 2013 - alongside his wife Ola, 43, who left in 2015 - hit out that 'new dancers' should be given a chance at the limelight, taking over from a string of pros who have been there for many years.
Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail, the father-of-one said: 'I know it's a big thing to suggest, but we need a shake up of professional dancers.
'You have to know when to hang up your dance shoes, and I think there's a few people on there that maybe need to think about that.
'They've been on there a long time, they've had their time, and now let someone else younger and fresh come on - let's get rid of 50 per cent of them and bring in some new ones, some young British dancers.
Strictly Come Dancing pro James Jordan has suggested that half of the cast of the dancing competition be AXED and replaced with fresh faces
James admitted he was keen to see the entire show cast shaken up, including the judging panel, in 'changes' to the BBC series
'I'm not gonna necessarily mention names because I don't think it's fair on the stars, but there's people that have been on there a long time have had their day.
'Especially when we've got so many amazing dancers out there, home grown dancers as well - it's a British show and there's not enough British dancers.'
It's not just the pros that James is keen to see replaced, as he also hit out that he thought it was time the judging panel featured someone new.
The last time the judging panel was shaken up was back in 2022, when
James, who was speaking in conjunction with Freebets, continued: 'Mix them up, too, get someone on there, maybe a previous Strictly pro that is maybe a little bit outspoken and not afraid to say what they think.'
And that wasn't his only bone to pick with the panel - admitting he had been disappointed this series with their lack of hard-hitting criticism.
While long-standing judge Craig, 60, had long been known as the harshest critic, it was revealed he was forced to 'mellow' his approach earlier this year over fears from the BBC bosses he would 'upset' contestants.
James continued: 'It's all become a little bit woke, hasn't it?
James also suggested that there should be some fresh faces added to the judging panel
James, who appeared on the BBC series from 2006 to 2013 and wife Ola from 2006 to 2015, said he would not return as a professional if asked
'Craig's always been one of my favourite judges, to be honest with you, but I do feel he's softened, I prefer the more feisty, fiery Craig.
'I know he said he's changed with the times because you have to be more aware of people's feelings and everything.
'But I personally disagree, I don't think there's anything wrong in life with telling people that they're not good at something.
'You do have to support them and everything, but if they do something and it's not good, you've gotta say, "that wasn't that great, but you've got to do XY".
'If you say to someone that Cha Cha was really not good and technically it was bad and this and that and everything's a little bit negative - what's wrong with that?
'I know it's only an entertainment show, but I just feel we're breeding a world of soft people where we're not allowed to say anything negative to anyone.
'I'm not saying you have to be brutal, but there's nothing wrong with telling someone if what they've done isn't good, or that you should you mark everyone high because you are worried about upsetting them.'
He added: 'If they asked me to be a judge, of course I would jump at the chance. I think everyone knows I would be very good at that.
James revealed he 'would jump at the chance' to become a judge on the show, but felt he 'scared' the BBC with his 'honesty'
'It is just obviously whether or not they'd ask me because I am very honest and maybe that scares them a little bit.'
That doesn't mean that James would return to dance on the show if he was asked, confirming: 'I've been there, done it, got the T-shirt, I did eight amazing years on Strictly and loved every second.
'I wouldn't want to come back as a professional dancer.'
Instead, James and his fellow former Strictly pros Brendan, Pasha, Vincent and Ian have extended their tour, titled The Return of the Legends, after popularity with fans.
Despite his suggestions about changes to the show, James insisted he and his tour co-stars 'still love' Strictly, adding: 'We still are interested in and love the show.
'It's still nice to watch it and know that you were there once doing it and now there's other people and there doing it, we we've still got a vested interest in it.'
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday and Sunday nights at 6:05pm and 7:15pm on BBC One and iPlayer. Tickets for The Return of the Legends Tour can be found at legendsofthedancefloor.com.
