Strictly Come Dancing fans broke down in tears over Joe Sugg’s moving reaction to Dianne Buswell’s BAFTA TV Awards win.
Professional dancer Dianne, 36, and comedian Chris McCausland, 47, who lost his sight at the age of 22 due to genetic condition retinitis pigmentosa, took home the Most Memorable Moment prize.
The pair had wowed audiences with their poignant ‘blackout’ waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone – choreographed to highlight Chris’s visual impairment.
Only Dianne was present at the awards ceremony to accept the prize and gave a speech, thanking everyone who voted for the dancing duo.
At one point, the camera panned to Diane’s partner, Joe Sugg, 33, who looked extremely emotional as he watched on.
The YouTuber appeared to be crying while Diane accepted the award and fans were struck by his heartfelt reaction.
Strictly Come Dancing fans broke down in tears over Joe Sugg’s (right) moving reaction to Dianne Buswell’s (left) BAFTA TV Awards win
Professional dancer Dianne and comedian Chris McCausland , 47, who lost his sight at the age of 22 due to genetic condition retinitis pigmentosa, took home the Most Memorable Moment prize
At one point, the camera panned to Diane’s partner, Joe Sugg, 33, looked emotional as he watched on
Many took to social media and posted on X: ‘Awwww did I spot a tear in Joe’s eye? #BAFTAS #BAFTATVAwards.’;
‘Joe Sugg is SO proud of Dianne’s #BAFTATVAwards win.’;
‘JOE SUGG CRYING OVER DIANNE AND CHRIS WINNING THE BAFTA,’ someone else gushed, followed by several crying face emojis.
Read More Scandal-hit Strictly Come Dancing scoops a BAFTA TV Award for Chris McCausland’s ‘blackout’ waltz 
Another penned: ‘Love shines at the BAFTA TV Awards! Joe Sugg moved to tears as Dianne Buswell wins. A beautiful reminder of joy and support in relationships. #BAFTA #LoveWins.’;
‘Joe crying for Dianne winning a #BAFTA.’;
‘I’ve just absolutely wailed at that sH๏τ of Joe with tears in his eyes #BAFTATVAwards #BAFTAS.’
After the award ceremony, Dianne posted a video of her telling Chris all about the win.
The clip, which was recorded by Joe, showed the star clasping their prize and she said: ‘I had a tear, but I was very composed. I think you would’ve been proud of me.’
She captioned the candid moment with: ‘There’s many lovely pics from last night and I will share them soon but Joe captured the moment I spoke with Chris after we won.
‘Of course I would have loved Chris there with me but I hope I captured his sense of humour in the speech. We both want to thank every body who voted for us this award is a real honour.’
Strictly earned the accolade after beating pivotal scenes from Bridgerton, Gavin & Stacey, Mr. Bates vs The Post Office, Rivals and The Traitors to the award.
Joe was Dianne’s Strictly Come Dancing partner back in 2018 but the pair missed out on the Glitterball after Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley took home the trophy instead.
They initially denied any rumours of a romance between the two, but one day after the final, the YouTuber posted a pH๏τograph of the pair captioned with, ‘I may not have won the glitter ball, but I’ve won something a million times more special.’
The BAFTA win comes after a surge of controversy clouded the show.
In September, comic Chris won plaudits from Strictly viewers by paying tribute to Liverpool – his home city – with a solo waltz before quietly asking Buswell: ‘Did I do okay?’
Strictly earned the accolade after beating pivotal scenes from Bridgerton, Gavin & Stacey, Mr. Bates vs The Post Office, Rivals and The Traitors to the award
The show won Best TV Moment for McCausland’s moving ‘blackout’ waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone – choreographed to highlight his visual impairment
Many Strictly fans noticed Joe’s reaction and took to social media to share their thoughts, with some being emotional themselves
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It was a rare moment of sunshine for the show after it pushed ahead with its 22nd series despite being hit with a wave of unsavoury allegations that began in May 2024 with fan favourite Giovanni Pernice accused of backstage bullying.
Pernice quit the show and faced an internal probe that later exonerated him of any wrongdoing after former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington claimed she was left with post traumatic stress disorder as a result of his ‘militant approach to training’.
A source told The Sun at the time: ‘Gio feels the scrutiny on him has become too much and now is the time to make a fresh start.
‘He wants to focus on other TV projects, and feels he’s achieved all he can on Strictly, having won the trophy back in 2021 and reaching the final an unprecedented four times.
‘He remains adamant he’s done nothing wrong other than being a hard taskmaster, but knows his style of training isn’t to everyone’s liking – especially in this day and age.’
Worse would follow, with Graziano di Prima fired by BBC bosses over claims of ‘physically and verbally abusive’ behaviour towards celebrity dance partner Zara McDermott.
Addressing his exit from the show, a ‘devastated’ Graziano later wrote on Instagram: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly.
‘My intense pᴀssion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
‘While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it’s only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn’t allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.
Dianne pictured looking jubilant as she left the awards ceremony on Sunday (May 12) evening clutching her dress and purse
Joe, pictured with the professional dancer on Sunday, was Dianne’s Strictly partner back in 2018 but the pair missed out on the Glitterball after Kevin Clifton and Stacey Dooley took home the trophy instead
‘There’s more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.’
Overlooking the controversy as she accepted the award on behalf of McCausland on Sunday evening, Buswell said: ‘In one minute and 30 seconds of a dance, I feel like this told such a story.
‘A story of hope, determination, resilience and vulnerability.
‘This moment meant so much to the both of us, so I’m just so thrilled that we have this.’
Ending with a comedic message from her former dance partner, she added: ‘Chris did have something he wanted me to say, and that is ‘after 22 years in comedy, he wins a Bafta for dancing”.
2025 BAFTA TV AWARD WINNERS AT A GLANCE
Drama Series – Blue Lights (BBC One)
Limited Drama – Mr Bates vs the Post Office (ITV1)
International – Shogun (Disney+) – WINNER
Scripted Comedy – Alma’s Not Normal (BBC Two)
Entertainment – Would I Lie To You? (BBC One)
Entertainment Performance – Joe Lycett, Late Night Lycett (Channel 4)
Strictly Come Dancing: Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell’s Waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone (BBC One)
Factual Entertainment – Rob and Rylan’s Grand Tour (BBC Two)
Factual Series – To Catch a Copper (Channel 4)
Specialist Factual – Atomic People (BBC Two)
Live Event Coverage – Glastonbury 2024 (BBC Two)
News Coverage – BBC Breakfast: Post Office Special (BBC One)
Single Documentary – Ukraine: Enemy In The Woods (BBC Two)
Leading Actress – Marisa Abela, Industry (BBC One)
Leading Actor – Lennie James, Mr Loverman (BBC One)
Supporting Actress – Jessica Gunning, Baby Reindeer (Netflix)
Supporting Actor – Ariyon Bakare, Mr Loverman (BBC One)
Female Performance in a Comedy – Ruth Jones, Gavin & Stacey (BBC One)
Male Performance in a Comedy – Danny Dyer, Mr Big Stuff (Sky Comedy)
Reality – The Jury: Murder Trial (Channel 4)
Soap – EastEnders (BBC One)
Daytime – Clive Myrie’s Caribbean Adventure (BBC Two) – WINNER
Current Affairs – State of Rage (Channel 4)
Shortform – Quiet Life (BBC Three)
Sport – Paris 2024 Olympics (BBC Sport)
Children’s Non Scripted – FYI Investigates: Disability and Me (Sky Kids)
Children’s Scripted – CBeebies As You Like It at Shakespeare’s Globe (CBeebies)
