Strictly Come Dancing's Dianne Buswell responds to pros quitting

Strictly Come Dancing professional Dianne Buswell has reacted to the recent departures of Aljaž Škorjanec and Oti Mabuse.

The two dancers have respectively stepped away from the BBC series over the last few months, to which Dianne responded that the news was "really sad".

Speaking on Lorraine, the dancer revealed: "I actually started with Aljaž, many, many years ago, before Strictly. So I have known Aljaž and Janette [Manrara] for ages. So to see Aljaž go, it's really sad – it's like your brother is leaving.

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"But the thing with everyone, same with Oti, is we are still so close – we're still going to see everyone. We'll still see them, they're still a part of the show, it's just they won't be there."

Dianne added: "I wish them the best, they're amazing. And I'm sure their futures are just going to keep going up and up."

Oti originally confirmed her exit back in February, saying in a statement at the time: "I can't put in to words how difficult this decision has been, but I have decided not to return for the next series."

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Speaking in a subsequent interview, the star said she had "done what [she] needed to" and was ready for the next chapter.

"I didn't want to hold on and get to the point where I wasn't happy any more," she told You magazine. "I left when I was at the peak, in terms of working on the show."

Oti added: "It feels like I'm leaving family behind – even the backstage team, the people viewers don't get to see – but when you know it's time to go, you know."