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Emmerdale’s Anthony Quinlan reacts to Strictly rumour

Bosses reportedly wanted him teamed with real-life pro dancer girlfriend

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Emmerdale actor Anthony Quinlan has denied claims he could compete alongside pro dancer girlfriend Dianne Buswell on the next series of Strictly Come Dancing.

It had been suggested Strictly bosses were keen for Anthony and Dianne to become the show’s first real-life couple to dance together on-screen.

But an Emmerdale rep has now told Press Association: “There are no plans for Anthony to do Strictly.”

Instagram @diannebuswell
Dianne Buswell and Anthony Quinlan have been dating since last year (Credit: Instagram @diannebuswell)

What a shame!

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Anthony, who plays Pete Barton in Emmerdale and previously appeared in Hollyoaks, is believed to have started dating Australian dancer last year.

It’s claimed they met via Pete’s former Emmerdale co-star Gemma Atkinson, who competed on the last series of Strictly, which also featured Dianne.

According to The Sun, bosses at Strictly were keen to make Anthony and Dianne the show’s first real-life couple to enter the show together and compete, rather than enter the show single and find love on it.

Or enter the show and compete with different people.

Instagram @diannebuswell
Dianne is waiting to hear if she’ll be back on Strictly as a pro dancer this year (Credit: Instagram @diannebuswell)

A source had said: “Bosses think their real-life chemistry would be a massive draw for viewers and would really rev up the competition.”

Alas, it wasn’t meant to be and it seems watching the dancing is as close as Anthony’s going to get to the floor!

Just recently, Anthony and Gemma – who is dating Strictly pro Gorka Marquez – supported their Strictly other halves by watching the duo perform on a cruise around the Med.

Dianne, meanwhile, is celebrating today after being confirmed as a new addition to Karen and Kevin Clifton’s new dance tour.

She revealed her new job overnight, saying: “I am super excited to be a part of Kevin and Karen: Live. I was lucky enough to work with them last year on Strictly.

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“I’m so excited again to be working with them on this summer tour. You don’t want to miss it. It will be full of energy and full of fun and we can’t wait to see you. Come and watch us!”

Kevin and Karen: Live kicks off in May and tours the UK and Ireland until July.

Would you like to see Dianne and Anthony dancing together on Strictly? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor