Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell mark one year since they met on Strictly Come Dancing

The pair are now dating and recently announced they had moved in together
Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Isobel Frodsham20 August 2019
The Weekender

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Strictly Come Dancing 2018 finalists Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell have exchanged emotional messages a year to the day since they were paired up.

The duo, who have since begun dating and moved in together, lost out of the winning prize to presenter Stacey Dooley and pro Kevin Clifton.

Buswell, 30, said she was excited to begin a "new chapter" with another dance partner.

On Twitter she wrote: "So on another note this time last year I met [Joe]. Let's start a new chapter, how exciting I'm about to meet my future dance partner! I'm so excited."

Sweet: Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell are now a couple
PA Wire/PA Images

Sugg, 27, said: "Today is the first day of the pros meeting the celebs on [Strictly]! So so excited for you all! Hope today goes brilliantly."

It comes after the YouTube star revealed he is set to make his West End debut in the musical Waitress playing Ogie.

His character’s relentless romancing of waitress Dawn is a highlight of the hit show.

Finalists: The couple's chemistry and skills won over viewers
Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire

He said: “Strictly was terrifying but I did it and it was one of the best things I’ve done.

“That is my life now, doing things that terrify me, but I think you regret the things you don’t do in life.

“I’ve had quite a few dreams about it already, dreaming about being on stage and waking up in a sweat.

“Though I do think in a funny way the bigger the crowd, the less nervous I get. It is the small, intimate crowd where you can see everyone’s face that is scary.”

Strictly Come Dancing 2019 Contestants Revealed - In pictures

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The professional Strictly dancers also joined Sugg and Buswell at their excitement of the start of the new season.

Aljaz Skorjanec, who is married to fellow professional Janette Manrara, was paired up with BBC newsreader Kate Silverton last year.

The Slovenian dancer wrote on Twitter: "Today we meet the celebs! Get in :)"

Welsh professional Amy Dowden, who was paired up with Danny John-Jules, also posted a message on Twitter.

"Such an exciting day today," she said.

Contestants Catherine Tyldesley, a former Coronation Street star, and Saffron Barker, a YouTube vlogger, said they were nervous to meet the pros.

Tyldesley wrote: “Eeeeek! We meet the pros today... I think I'm gonna be too starstruck to dance!" while Barker said: “Good morning all! Very nervous and excited as we meet the pros today for the very first time ahh! This is gonna be so fun."

South African dancer Motsi Mabuse, 38, the older sister of Strictly professional Oti, also joins Strictly this year as a judge, replacing Dame Darcey Bussell.

Additional reporting by Press Association.​

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