Dianne Buswell has teased the possibility of partnering with a new contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, someone she would “love to dance with”. During a conversation with Chris McCausland, the Aussie star shared some exciting hints about the upcoming series of the BBC hit.
The pair discussed potential newcomers to this year’s roster of dancing celebs, and Dianne, who clinched victory in last year’s competition with Chris, believes she’s spotted “the one”. Chris made history on Strictly as the first blind contestant to take part in the show.
Following their triumph, the duo have stayed great mates and have even launched their own podcast titled Winning Isn’t Everything. On the podcast, when quizzed about the celebrities lined up for the next series, Dianne mentioned rumours of a Neighbours star joining the fray.
That rumoured star is none other than Stefan Dennis, the iconic actor behind Paul Robinson since Neighbours’ debut episode in 1985. The thought of teaming up with soap nobility for a Paso Doble clearly thrilled Dianne.
“I have no idea, Chris!” she exclaimed, “I heard that there’s gonna be someone from Neighbours, which would be sick! I would love to dance with an Aussie!
“That’s what I’ve heard. Someone told me this. Was it you, actually? No, you didn’t tell me. Someone told me, ‘Oh, word on the street is there’s a guy from Neighbours that’s gonna be in it’. And I was like, ‘Oh, that would be sick! That would be so cool!'”.
When quizzed on whether the rumoured contestant was a current or former cast member, Dianne hinted that the buzz was about an “old veteran”, igniting speculation among the podcast presenters over who it could be.
Chris suggested Ian Smith, known for his role as Harold Bishop, but Dianne thought that unlikely. However, when Stefan’s name came up, she confirmed he’s the “one” and “definitely” at the centre of the rumour.
Earlier in the month, there were murmurs that Stefan had signed up for Strictly following the end of Neighbours filming at Nunawading Studios in Australia, especially with the show set to broadcast its last episodes in December after being dropped by Amazon earlier in the year.
Three years prior, the online retail giant had rescued the soap following its cancellation by Channel 5, but this particular deal has since concluded, with the final scenes taped on July 11, reports Wales Online.
This opens up Stefan’s schedule for a potential stint on Strictly, should the whispers prove true. A source revealed to The Sun: “Stefan is a huge character on the soap and is sure to be a hit with Strictly fans.
“BBC bosses are confident Stefan will bring in the ratings. He has made no secret of the fact that he would love to star on Strictly and will put his all into the training.”
In addition to Stefan, other celebs tipped to join this year’s Strictly ensemble include EastEnders’ Balvinder Sopal, who portrays Suki, reality TV’s Vicky Pattison, and ex-Coronation Street star Helen Flanagan.
Rumours also suggest former Apprentice hopeful Thomas Skinner, jockey Rachael Blackmore, reality favourite Stacey Solomon, and Tom Parker Bowles, son of Queen Camilla, could be gracing this year’s dance floor.