Strictly Come Dancing stars Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg have addressed swirling rumours about the birth of their first child, confirming that an AI-generated image has misled fans into believing their baby boy has already arrived.
False Congratulations Flood In
Joe Sugg, the 34-year-old YouTube personality, woke up to a barrage of messages from family and friends congratulating him on the safe arrival of his son with dancer Dianne Buswell, 36. Confused by the well-wishes, he investigated online and discovered that a digitally altered image had spread across social media, depicting the couple snuggling with a newborn.
Social Media Clarification
In a TikTok video, Joe pointed out the discrepancies in the fake picture, stating, "This is AI. Look, that's not me. I don't know who that is but it's not me. I mean, I'd take it, I'd quite like to look like that to be honest, but that's not me. It's not my chin, it's not my hair, unfortunately." He emphasised that the image was not of Dianne or their unborn child, though he humorously added, "although I do hope he's that cute."
Dianne Buswell then appeared in the video, showcasing her pregnancy bump in a cropped white t-shirt and grey joggers to dispel any speculation. She laughed, "And I am very much still pregnant," while Joe reiterated, "He's not here yet. It's AI. AI is getting scary."
Concerns Over AI Misinformation
Sharing the update on Instagram as well, Joe expressed concern about the impact of such hoaxes, particularly on older generations, saying, "I worry for the Facebook generation sometimes with all this AI malarkey." The incident highlights the growing challenge of distinguishing real news from fabricated content online.
Anticipation for the Real Arrival
Despite the false alarm, the couple, who fell in love during Strictly Come Dancing in 2018, are eagerly awaiting the birth of their son. They announced their pregnancy in September last year with an Instagram post that read, "Our little baby boy ❤️ we cannot wait to meet you." The baby is due imminently, adding to the excitement and anticipation among their fans.
This episode serves as a reminder of the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age, while also showcasing the couple's lighthearted approach to addressing the rumours as they prepare for parenthood.
