BBC Strictly Come Dancing Dianne Buswell's parents' incredible milestone after 'scary' cancer setback

Dianne Buswell had an emotional week as she was reunited with her beloved parents in the UK ahead of her next Strictly Come Dancing performance.

The professional dancer has been on a countdown to her mum, Rina, and dad Mark's arrival from Australia as they prepare to watch her in action in the BBC One dance contest live in Strictly's very own ballroom alongside her celebrity dance partner Chris McCausland.

Last weekend, Chris and Dianne pulled off their highest score of the series as they opened the show, which was being broadcast live from the world-famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom for one weekend only, before securing their place in week ten of Strictly's 20th-anniversary series.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing star says it's 'absolutely ridiculous' as she slams judges' move

After the news was announced during the eighth results show of the series, host Claudia Winkleman announced with the couple: "Mr and Mrs Buswell are coming to see their baby girl," which was met with cheers by the Strictly cast.

The co-presenter added: "I know it means so much. They love you and Chris, this is what you wanted, you wanted to dance in front of your mum and dad. And Chris, you want this amazing woman to feel proud, out there in front of her family." Chris responded by saying that they'd set themselves this ;goal' from the beginning of surpassing Blackpool week and couldn’t believe that they’d managed to "get here".

Days later and Dianne shared a sweet photograph of her parents helping out in the kitchen at the £3.5 million home she shares with her boyfriend Joe Sugg, who she met on Strictly in 2018. Dianne added two smiling emojis with tears, hinting that the long-awaited reunion with her parents was incredibly special to her.

She then later revealed they had visited her and Chris in training and alongside a picture of the foursome she said: "This year of strictly has been special in so many ways thanks to the wonderful Chris ! this is just the cherry on top. Magic moments that I’ll cherish forever."

Rina and Mark's arrival in the UK comes after the pair celebrated a very special milestone. Back in January, the 35-year-old shared a photo of herself with her mum and dad alongside a heartfelt congratulatory message. She said: "Happy 42nd wedding anniversary mum and dad. You are the best parents and grandparents to all us kids we all love you very much ! @mark.3802 @rinabuswell."

The selfie, taken during Dianne's recent trip home to Australia, showed the three smiling during sunset on the beach. She had returned to her homeland last Christmas with Joe amidst her dad's cancer battle.

Then in April, Dianne said he was her "hero", praising his strength and ability to keep smiling. On Instagram she shared a montage of pictures and clips of Mark from over the course of his treatment. At one point, Dianne was seen holding her dad's hand in the hospital as she was able to visit Australia following the end of Strictly 2023 at the end of last year. The video then ended with Mark ringing the bell to signal the end of the treatment and it appears there may be plans for Dianne's parents to visit the UK.

Alongside the video she wrote: "To my daddy you did it 6 months later and 12 rounds done. I am so so PROUD of you it’s been a tough road but you have always done it with a smile and a thumbs up. I know you were scared and I know it was not easy but you have done it."

She added: "I wish so much I could be there right now and just cuddle you. You're my hero and you have made me realise we all have so much more strength then we think. And to my beautiful mum who has not left your side and been the best support system ever thank you. Us kids are so lucky to have you both we love you so much. Now we need to book that trip in back to UK for the both of you @mark.3802 @rinabuswell."

Earlier in Mark's cancer journey, she spoke about the difficulty of being so far away from home, writing online: "I wish so much I could be there right now and just cuddle you. You're my hero and you have made me realise we all have so much more strength then we think."

Dianne was born on May 6, 1989 and is from Bunbury in Western Australia to Mark and Rina and has one sibling, brother Andrew Buswell, who she credits as her inspiration. She began dancing at the age of five after watching her brothers dance in the studio.

She went on to compete in competitions representing Western Australia in National and International Ballroom & Latin events and becoming a four time Amateur Australian Open finalist. And she and her brother Andrew were Western Australian Open Adult New Vogue champions in 2008 and 2010.

At the age of 18 she was picked to take part in Australian TV show So You Think You Can Dance, placing within the top 20 girls in Australia out of thousands of auditions. It led Dianne to the internationally and critically acclaimed stage production Burn the Floor. After touring the world with the show, she returned home to join the TV show Dancing with the Stars as a professional dancer. Strictly Come Dancing then came calling.

But she also had another career alongside dancing that many fans are unaware of. Before turning professional as a dancer, Dianne was a hairdresser back in her native Australia. She's said: "I had two dreams, dancing and becoming a hairdresser – I’m thrilled to have achieved both." And appearing on Michael McIntyres The Wheel on BBC One in 2022, she chose hair as her specialist subject. Quizzed about the choice, she said: "I was a hairdresser. I had my own salon and then I went to dancing."