Professional dancer Dianne Buswell has forcefully rejected suggestions that her celebrity partner's departure from Strictly Come Dancing was orchestrated due to her pregnancy.
The Australian choreographer took to Instagram Stories to address speculation from viewers who believed Stefan Dennis's exit had been pre-arranged.
Ms Buswell shared screenshots of fan comments claiming the withdrawal was coordinated, with one follower writing: "To be honest I saw this coming, Diane couldn't really continue especially when she gets bigger, bless her."
The dancer, who is expecting her first child with partner Joe Sugg, responded firmly to the allegations.
She urged followers to "stop presuming this was a set up" and emphasised her desire to continue performing in the competition.
The Neighbours actor revealed on Monday that he had sustained a severe calf tear during Saturday's performance, forcing him to leave the BBC dance competition.
Mr Dennis expressed profound disappointment at his premature departure from the programme.
"This morning I woke up to the most disappointing day of the time in my Strictly journey," he said in a written statement.
Dianne Buswell responded to theories she had been the reason for Stefan Dennis' withdrawal
|"Just when I had finally gained the confidence to do well with my dancing in the comp and achieve more great dances along the way, I was told that on Saturday I had torn my calf so significantly that I am now forced to withdraw from the show."
The soap star, who portrays Paul Robinson, thanked both the production team and Ms Buswell for enabling him to participate in the series.
Another viewer's message, which Ms Buswell also posted, stated: "She's a brilliant dancer and she is one of my favourites sorry to say but I think this was planned to keep her and baby safe, just my thought."
The professional dancer, who made history as the first pregnant performer to compete on Strictly, insisted she felt more energetic than ever.
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"I sound like a broken record but I'm seeing a bit of this floating around again! I know people say ignore it but actually, why should I....I will speak up," she wrote on social media.
Ms Buswell asked supporters to show consideration for Mr Dennis, emphasising that the actor felt genuinely disappointed about his inability to continue dancing.
She stressed that the production would never fabricate stories about participants' health conditions.
This marks the second instance of conspiracy theories surrounding the partnership after Mr Dennis was unable to perform on October 11 due to vertigo.
BBC Strictly: Dianne Buswell and Stefan Dennis were given a bye in Week Three | BBCMedical advice had required the actor to rest, yet viewers questioned whether this was concealing issues related to Ms Buswell's condition.
The dancer addressed those earlier rumours through social media last week, stating: "Just to clarify I've had lots of people messaging me thinking this is a cover up for me not being able to dance?!"
Dianne Buswell and Stefan Dennis were forced to withdraw from BBC Strictly on Monday
|BBC
She affirmed her capability to perform whilst pregnant and noted that contingency measures exist for any professional dancers who become unwell or injured.
The duo had returned to compete on Saturday, earning 26 points for their Charleston routine before Mr Dennis's injury occurred.