Aussie dancing queen ‘shaking like a leaf' during major TV triumph

Perth Now

12-05-2025

An Australian ballroom dancer has been left 'shaking like a leaf' after claiming a coveted television award in Britain overnight.
Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell won the BAFTA TV Awards' memorable moment gong for her waltz with comedian Chris McCausland, the show's first blind contestant.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Aussie dancer Dianne Buswell claims BAFTA win.
The pair danced to You'll Never Walk Alone during the 2024 series of the BBC program, which they ultimately won.
'In one minute and thirty seconds of a dance, I feel like this told such a story — a story of hope, determination, resilience and vulnerability,' Buswell said.
'I had something completely different that I was going to say but somebody asked me outside what I thought of when I was doing that dance.
'Honestly, I held Chris' hands and I was set off from the minute we started because he closed his eyes and he smiled a smile that I've never seen from him before and that meant it came straight from his heart.
'This moment meant so much to the both of us so I'm just so thrilled that we have this.'
It was a first BAFTA win for both Buswell and McCausland.
The award was decided by public vote and Buswell said she was 'shaking like a leaf' as she collected it.
McCausland did not join his co-star at the ceremony but he did have a light-hearted message, which Buswell delivered.
'Chris did have something he wanted me to say and that is after 22 years in comedy he wins a BAFTA for dancing,' Buswell said.
'He said: 'Di, I'll take it, but please let them all know it hurts'.' Dianne Buswell gave a heartfelt speech as she collected her BAFTA award for memorable moment. Credit: John Phillips / Getty Images for BAFTA Buswell said she feels like her dance with Chris McCausland 'told such a story'. Credit: Dave Benett / Getty Images
Buswell's boyfriend Joe Sugg, a YouTube star who she met when they were partnered together during the 2018 series of the show, was in tears while listening to her deliver her speech.
Buswell and McCausland's dance was nominated alongside moments from Bridgerton, Gavin and Stacey, Mr Bates vs the Post Office, Rivals and The Traitors.
'That BAFTA is SO deserved. What Dianne Buswell achieved with Chris McCausland was nothing short of extraordinary,' one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
'She's also an absolute delight.'
The Aussie dancer is originally from Bunbury, south of Perth in WA.
She previously appeared on Australia's Dancing with the Stars before moving to the UK in 2017.