Donnie Burns was born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, UK. He has been married to Heidi Groskreutz-Burns since 2008. He was previously married to Nicole Burns-Hansen.
He and his dancing partner, Gaynor Fairweather, were both awarded the
MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1994 for their
services to competitive ballroom dancing.
He was scheduled to board but he canceled his flight, Pan Am 103, which exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland on December 21, 1988.
He is Vice President and Chairman of the Dancesport Committee of the World Dance & Dancesport Council and is based in South Croydon, Surrey, England