Dianne Buswell, the reigning winner of *Strictly Come Dancing*,
has opened up about the challenges of being on the live tour without her winning partner, comedian Chris McCausland.
Despite their triumph on the BBC dance competition at the end of last year, Chris, 47, became the first-ever *Strictly* champion to miss the show’s UK tour.
This year, the comedian’s own stand-up tour clashed with the *Strictly* tour, making it impossible for him to join Dianne on the road.
In her latest YouTube vlog, Dianne, 35, shared her emotional experience of performing on the tour without Chris, admitting that it’s been “really tough” for her. “Chris can’t do [the tour].
It’s actually been really tough for me to see everyone else with their partners and to know that Chris can’t do it,” Dianne revealed, expressing how much she missed performing with him.
“It has been really tough,” she continued, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation while still being grateful for the opportunity to be part of the tour.
Despite the challenges, Dianne remained optimistic about the experience. “However, I’m really excited to still be a part of it and very, very grateful for that,” she shared. “So, y’know, I’m counting my lucky stars there.” Dianne also mentioned taking some time off for the weekend before diving back into the hectic tour schedule, vowing to continue documenting her journey with her fans through vlogs.
The *Strictly Come Dancing* live tour kicked off earlier this week, with Dianne performing in various cities across the UK. However, unlike previous tours, she does not have a celebrity partner to perform routines with. This year’s tour lineup includes several notable celebrities from the latest series of *Strictly*, such as Jamie Borthwick, Montell Douglas, Wynne Evans, Tasha Ghouri, JB Gill, Sarah Hadland, and Shayne Ward.
Chris McCausland, who made history by winning the competition alongside Dianne, confirmed late last year that he would not be able to participate in the live tour due to scheduling conflicts with his own stand-up comedy shows. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Chris explained, “I’m afraid I will not be able to do the Strictly tour. My own tour was meant to be on the road in September, and a lot of dates were moved to January and February to accommodate doing #Strictly.” He went on to express his disappointment, stating, “It’s unfortunate as it’s been so much fun, but my own dates can’t be moved for a second time.”
While Chris’s absence has been a tough adjustment for Dianne, the live tour has continued with a strong lineup of performers. The tour opened in Birmingham on January 19, and fans can expect to see more shows in cities such as Glasgow, Newcastle, and Manchester, before concluding with its final performance in London on February 9.
The live tour comes just weeks after the grand finale of *Strictly Come Dancing*, where Dianne and Chris were crowned champions. In the December finale, Chris and Dianne competed against JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, and Sarah Hadland. The couple’s victory was particularly sweet for the comedian, who had endeared himself to audiences with his humor and warm personality throughout the competition.
Meanwhile, Chris is busy with his own stand-up tour, which began in Winchester on January 16. His comedy tour will take him across the UK, with upcoming performances scheduled for Liverpool, the Isle of Wight, and Cardiff. The comedian’s stand-up shows are expected to continue well into next year.
Although it’s been difficult for Dianne to experience the tour without her partner, she remains positive about the opportunity and is focused on giving her all to the performances. Despite the absence of Chris, the *Strictly* live tour continues to captivate audiences, with fans eagerly anticipating each new stop. For Dianne, the journey is bittersweet, but she remains thankful for the experience and excited to continue her passion for dance.
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