Strictly's Dianne Buswell issues a health update on her dad following his heart surgery - days after sparking concern with hospital photo as dancer admits it's been 'a tough 18 months'

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Dianne Buswell has issued a health update on her dad Mark following his recent heart surgery, days after sparking concern with a snap of him in hospital.

Last weekend, the Strictly Come Dancing professional, 35, shared an Instagram photo of herself with her dad who was lying in a hospital bed, with Dianne calling him her 'super hero'.

While at the time she didn't disclose what was wrong, she later revealed on her and Strictly partner Chris McCausland's podcast Winning Isn't Everything that her dad ended up having open heart surgery after concerns were flagged during the regular check-ups he receives due to his previous cancer battle. 

She told how doctors were pleased with the rate of Mark's recovery, having undergone a double heart bypass due to the main artery to his heart being blocked.

And now in a new update shared on Thursday, Dianne - who has returned to her native Australia to be with her family - revealed that her 'champion' dad has been 'walking around the ward' before going on to praise his 'strength'.

Dianne penned: 'And he’s up and walking around the ward like a champion after his heart surgery ❤️ my poor dad has had a tough 18 months but in true Buswell style has shown strength and resilience ❤️

Dianne Buswell has issued a health update on her dad Mark following his recent heart surgery, days after sparking concern with a snap of him in hospital 

Last weekend, the Strictly Come Dancing professional, 35, shared an Instagram photo of herself with her dad who was lying in a hospital bed, with Dianne calling him her 'super hero'

'And my beautiful mum who has been the saviour in it all she is by his side 24/7 and has been a little trooper you are one of a kind mum ❤️ love you both and I feel so lucky I was able to be here with you both ❤️ @mark.3802 @rinabuswell.'

Alongside her caption, Dianne shared an image of herself cuddling up to her father in his hospital bed, with Mark sweetly wearing a cap in support of Dianne and Chris' Strictly stint.

She also uploaded a photo of herself beaming alongside her dad and mum Rina at the hospital, with the dancer basking in a beam of sunlight. 

Her post was met with a plethora of well wishes from her fans, who were quick to share their hopes for a speedy recovery for her father. 

One penned: 'Mark is an absolute trouper! even wearing his chris and dianne hat bless him. sending you all so much love!'

'Get well soon Mark, we need those vlogs. Sending so much love to all the Buswells, especially our faves Mark and Rina. Your positivity is inspiring Dianne. Remember to take care of yourself as well, you have just gone through a lot ❤️' penned another.

While a third added: 'Mark you’re an absolute warrior❤️ sending you so much love and well wishes❤️❤️.'

Several of Dianne's Strictly co-stars also shared messages of support including Amy Dowden, Gorka Marquez, Nancy Xu and Vito Coppola.  

She later revealed on her and Strictly partner Chris McCausland 's podcast Winning Isn't Everything that her dad ended up having open heart surgery

in a new update shared on Thursday, Dianne - who has returned to her native Australia to be with her family - revealed that her 'champion' dad has been 'walking around the ward'

'And he’s up and walking around the ward like a champion after his heart surgery ❤️ my poor dad has had a tough 18 months but in true Buswell style has shown strength and resilience ❤️'

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Strictly champion Chris McCausland reveals the moment Dianne Buswell 'ripped him apart' in training

In her previous podcast with Chris, 47, Dianne opened up on the challenging and busy time she's had during her trip back home to Australia. 

While she also noted that she's wearing a hat in her dad's honour, which is the same hat he wore while cheering the pair on to victory during the Strictly final in December.

She said: 'I thought I'm going to wear it in honour of Mark today because in this podcast I think we'll talk about Mark a fair bit'.

To which Chris said: 'Are we, Di? Why? What's possibly happened, Di?', with Dianne replying: 'Well Chris, the reason I'm still in Australia...'

The red head then digressed, before continuing: 'My flight has been changed three times now to come home and in this short space of time that I've been on my holiday, because I went to a wedding in South Africa, on my holiday I've been to a wedding, I've been to a funeral, I've been to a christening, I've been in intensive care unit wards numerous times, we've been nominated for a BAFTA....

'There's been so many ups and downs in this short space of time, it's been pretty intense. I'm still in Perth, I'm in a hotel room at the moment literally 500 metres from the Perth hospital and the reason I'm there is my dad's in there.'

She then went on to discuss her dad's open heart surgery.

In her previous podcast with Chris, 47, Dianne opened up on the challenging and busy time she's had during her trip back home to Australia

'There's been so many ups and downs in this short space of time, it's been pretty intense... I'm in a hotel literally 500 metres from the Perth hospital and the reason I'm there is my dad's there'[pictured, her parents emotionally watching her on Strictly]

Back in April last year, Dianne shared the happy news that her father has finished chemotherapy after a gruelling 12 rounds of treatment.

The professional dancer broke down in tears on the BBC show back in October 2023 after her father Mark was diagnosed with cancer.

But taking to Instagram, Dianne revealed that her father had officially rung the bell to mark finishing his six months of treatment. 

Dianne shared a video full of snaps of herself with her father when she visited him the previous year, as well as clips of him ringing the bell. 

Back in April last year, Dianne shared the happy news that her father has finished chemotherapy after a gruelling 12 rounds of treatment 

The Strictly Come Dancing professional shared a video of herself in the hospital with her father as she praised him for having a 'positive mind frame'

She wrote: 'To my daddy you did it 6 months later and 12 rounds done ❤️. I am so so PROUD of you it’s been a tough road but you have always done it with a smile and a thumbs up. 

'I know you were scared and I know it was not easy but you have done it. I wish so much I could be there right now and just cuddle you ❤️. 

'You're my hero and you have made me realise we all have so much more strength then we think.'

In a tribute to her mother supporting Mark throughout his treatment, Dianne added: 'And to my beautiful mum who has not left your side and been the best support system ever, thank you. 

'Us kids are so lucky to have you both we love you so much ❤️❤️. Now we need to book that trip in back to UK for the both of you.'