Dianne Buswell and partner Joe Sugg pick ‘unique’ baby name for unborn son as BBC Strictly pair open up on decision

The Strictly Come Dancing pro and her YouTuber partner have opted for what they’ll call their baby boy

Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell and her partner Joe Sugg have disclosed that they have already selected a name for their expected baby boy.

The expectant parents shared details about their chosen name during a YouTube video posted earlier this week, just days after Ms Buswell was forced out of this year’s Strictly due to an injury to celebrity partner, Stefan Dennis.

The couple, who have been together since meeting on the BBC dance show in 2018, explained that whilst the name is uncommon, it possesses qualities that make it appropriate for both a child and an adult.

They have decided to refer to their unborn son as “Derek” in public. However, they’ve stressed the name is merely a placeholder to avoid accidentally disclosing the real moniker before his arrival.

Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell revealed they’d picked a baby name

During the video, Mr Sugg elaborated on the distinctive nature of their chosen name, explaining: “The name that we’ve come up with, we’re not going to share it.

“We can’t really give any clues to it other than I don’t really see this name really anywhere.”

He noted that whilst some individuals carry it as a surname, the name also has the flexibility to be shortened.

“I’d say it’s quite a unique name, but it’s not unique as in-,” Mr Sugg said, before Ms Buswell interjected: “Apple or pear.

Dianne Buswell and boyfriend Joe Sugg 

“It’s kind of like Joe, isn’t it? Cute when you’re little, you can call yourself Joseph when you’re older.”

Mr Sugg suggested the name could work well for an athlete, adding: “Or it could be a good sportsperson name.”

The couple revealed that sharing their pregnancy news with family members proved far more daunting than announcing it to their online followers.

“It was the most nervous I’d ever been. I was so nervous to tell people, I don’t know why. I almost put it off,” Ms Buswell confessed when discussing how she broke the news to her parents.

Dianne Buswell clarified the explanation given for the couple’s absence was the truth | BBCMr Sugg echoed the anxiety surrounding family announcements, stating: “I think it was because it was such a big life moment.

“I was way more nervous to tell friends and family than I was to tell you lot.”

The Australian dancer explained that her father initially believed they were joking, whilst Mr Sugg became emotional each time they shared their news with someone new.

The couple announced their pregnancy in September through an Instagram video where they painted stick figures representing themselves with a baby, captioning it: “Our little baby boy, we cannot wait to meet you.”

Their romance began when they were paired together on Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, reaching the final but finishing as runners-up to Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton.

Ms Buswell made history this series as the first pregnant dancer to perform on Strictly, partnered with Australian actor Mr Dennis.

Their journey ended prematurely when Mr Dennis withdrew due to injury, though Ms Buswell continues appearing in pre-recorded group routines during results shows.

Ms Buswell has also publicly dismissed any speculation that her pregnancy was behind Mr Dennis’s withdrawal, insisting there was no “cover-up” and their exit was, indeed, down to injury.