NEIGHBOURS

ACTOR IS SO HAPPY FOR DIANNE

- BY NICOLA METHVEN TV Editor

Having signed up for Strictly Come Dancing from the other side of the world, Stefan Dennis was hit by two surprises when he arrived in the UK to start training.

First off the actor, loved by millions as Neighbours businessman Paul Robinson, was thrilled to discover he would been paired with a fellow Aussie - professional Dianne Buswell.

And then came the second... Dianne revealed she was about to become the first pro dancer to compete in the BBC competition while pregnant.

Stefan, who has three children of his own with wife of 25 years Gail, says he's thrilled for his new best mate, and will do everything in his power to help ensure it all goes smoothly for her.

"Bless her, she's the usual, she's radiant and lovely," he says of the reigning champ, who lifted the glitterball trophy last year with Chris McCausland.

Stefan goes on: "She's just a lovely person. You can't help but like her.

"And now on top of this, she's having a baby and it's brilliant."

Stefan, who is this year's oldest contestant at 66, says it's entirely up to Dianne to decide what she is comfortable with in terms of the routines and training schedule.

He says of the dancer, 36: "She's not silly when it comes to her body and what she can do and what she can't do. And she's also got massive medical support from the BBC. Her welfare and the baby's welfare are obviously paramount. But she's very confident that she's going to be able to do this and I trust her confidence."

Stefan recalls of one of the show's welfare producers coming to break the baby news to him in his dressing room: "She said, 'Oh, Stef, we've got some news.' And I went, 'Oh, my God - have I been voted out already?"

So when they told him his pro partner's happy news, he was relieved.