Tag Archives: Bruno Tonioli

Bruno Tonioli Breaks Silence On Rumours He And Alan Carr Were Both In Running For BGT Role

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Bruno Tonioli has spoken for the first time about rumours that he and Alan Carr were both being considered for a judging role on the new series of Britain’s Got Talent.

Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Bruno had landed a spot on the BGT panel, replacing David Walliams, who has now left the show after 10 series.

However, prior to the Italian dancer’s appointment, it had previously been reported in the tabloid press that Alan was being eyed for the role.

Speaking to The Sun, the former Strictly Come Dancing judge insisted it “won’t be awkward at all” between himself and Alan when they next cross paths.

Alan Carr
Alan Carr

David M. Benett via Getty Images

“I haven’t had a clue about his negotiations,” Bruno told the newspaper.“I love Alan and I know him, he is a very nice guy.

“I didn’t know the situation with him, nothing was announced, and that’s show business. This was down to ITV — and I just said yes to the job when it was offered.”

Bruno added: “He’s a professional, he knows how things go.”

Meanwhile, Bruno also spoke about how he came to the land the job in the first place.

“I was actually on holiday and I got a text message from Simon’s girlfriend,” Bruno said.

“We’ve been friends for a long time, me and Simon, and she suggested we all get together. I had no idea this job was around.

“I arrived in London on the ninth of January and my agent had a call from ITV. I had no idea what it was about other than he said, ‘oh its something very big’ and I thought ‘that’s good’.

“Then I had a meeting on the 13th with ITV and I thought great, this is fantastic.”

The new-look Britain's Got Talent panel
The new-look Britain’s Got Talent panel

Karwai Tang via Getty Images

Bruno continued: “There were no long negotiations, I just said ‘yes, I want to do it’.

“It happened so fast that I have practically nothing to wear. I am going to have to go shopping next week when I get to Manchester, I must make Simon pay . . . actually he’s teased me about joining for years and then never offered me the job, so I still didn’t believe it until it finally happened.”

Earlier this week, it had been reported there was some “upset” among members of the panel over Bruno’s supposed BGT salary, although a rep insisted this was not the case.

Britain’s Got Talent will return to ITV for its 16th series later this year.

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Bruno Tonioli Speaks Out About His Decision To Leave Strictly: ‘The Schedule Was Insane’

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Bruno Tonioli has spoken out about his decision to leave Strictly Come Dancing, admitting it was a “miracle” he lasted 18 years on the judging panel.

The 66-year-old Italian dancer and choreographer had been a judge since the BBC dance show launched in 2004.

In May he announced he was quitting the show for good to focus on his judging role on the US version of the show, Dancing With The Stars.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Bruno spoke candidly about his decision to leave Strictly and focus on his working commitments in America.

Bruno Tonioli
Bruno Tonioli

Dave J Hogan via Getty Images

“There is no animosity, it was a mutual decision with both of us saying, ‘Listen, this is not going to work like it used to’,” he explained.

Bruno has held a spot on the Dancing With The Stars panel since its launch in 2005, resulting in frequent flying back and forth between the UK and the US while both shows were running.

“I just couldn’t do the flying any more,” he said.

“I don’t know how I survived that schedule. To be honest, it’s a miracle.”

He added: “I have no idea what it did to my health, don’t go there!”

Anton Du Beke was announced as Bruno’s replacement in May, following his success as a temporary replacement for him during the 2021 series as a result of Covid-19 pandemic travel restrictions.

Former Strictly pro Anton Du Beke has replaced Bruno on the judging panel.
Former Strictly pro Anton Du Beke has replaced Bruno on the judging panel.

Ian West – PA Images via Getty Images

Bruno also faced difficulties while appearing on the show in 2020, after pandemic travel uncertainty meant he could appear only via video-link to give his verdict on the performances during the Sunday night results show.

To illustrate the toll the “insane” schedule took on him, Bruno reflected on a scary moment during a live Strictly show, saying: “There was a moment in the middle of a run when I blanked.

“I did not know where I was or what I was doing.

“It only lasted a second, then I saw the audience looking at me and it all came back to me.”

He went on to explain the added stress of maintaining his flamboyant character while on air: “I’m playing a character. My accent becomes stronger, the facial expressions and body movements become bigger.”

He added: “You have to pump yourself up and keep it up for two hours. That’s so hard when you have all the added stress of the travel.”

Despite the difficulties of balancing his judging commitments, Bruno was clear that above all else Strictly had been a life-changing, positive experience. He said: “Strictly changed my life, it was like being born again.

“I was a successful choreographer but this was like going back to the beginning as a performer. I loved it.”

Bruno also spoke warmly about his successor and, reflecting on Anton Du Beke’s judging role during 2021, said: “He did a very good job because he made it his own.”

When asked if he felt in any way jealous of Anton, Tonioli said: “You don’t think like that.

“It’s like James Bond, right? You have Sean Connery and Daniel Craig but they are both still Bond.”

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Anton Du Beke Eyes Permanent Seat On Strictly Panel As First Year Of Judging Draws To An End

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Strictly Come Dancing star Anton Du Beke has said he hopes to retain his seat on the panel in the future as his first year as an official judge comes to an end.

Having made no secret of his hopes to become a Strictly judge in the past, the former long-serving professional finally got his wish this year, when he was recruited to fill in for Bruno Tonioli, who couldn’t take part in the show due to travel restrictions.

With the series almost over, viewers are now questioning whether Anton – who has been well-received by most Strictly fans – could be kept on as a full-time judge, which he seems quite in favour of.

Reflecting on how he’s found judging Strictly, he joked to Metro: “I’ve loved coming back every week. I’ll carry on judging, please.”

When asked whether he’d missed dancing, he added: “I have a bit, especially when I see a number that I wish I’d done. When Tom Fletcher danced a foxtrot to Fly Me To The Moon I wanted to nudge him out of the way and have a dance, although I don’t think he’d have appreciated that.

“But then I’m not missing the bit where they go, ‘And not dancing next week is…’.”

The Strictly Come Dancing judging panel pictured last week
The Strictly Come Dancing judging panel pictured last week

BBC / Guy Levy

Craig Revel Horwood recently said he’d be in favour of Anton becoming a permanent Strictly judge.

Earlier this week, the sharp-tongued star said Anton had been “a great addition” to the panel, explaining: “He knows the process of working with celebrities inside out, he’s been there.

“Particularly with celebs that haven’t been ‘gifted’, he’s had to manoeuvre them around that dance floor – and he’s been with great dancers, where he could show off his talents.

“Armed with all that information, he’s showing great empathy for the celebs,” Craig added. “He’s more lenient than me. And he’s funny. Long may it continue, he’s a good egg, Anton.”

This year’s Strictly final airs on Saturday night at 7pm on BBC One.

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Bruno Tonioli ‘Sad And Frustrated’ At Strictly Come Dancing Exit As He Gives Verdict On Replacement Anton Du Beke

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Bruno Tonioli has said he is “sad and frustrated” not to be returning to Strictly Come Dancing this year. 

The long-standing judge is unable to be part of the upcoming series due to restrictions preventing him from travelling to and from the US, where he judges Dancing With The Stars. 

Bruno also admitted he wasn’t surprised to hear Anton Du Beke would be stepping in to replace him on the panel of the BBC ballroom show. 

Mike Marsland via Getty Images

Anton Du Beke (L) and Bruno Tonioli 

Speaking to The Sun, he said: “I am so sad and frustrated, but there is nothing anyone can do.

“Anton was the obvious choice to replace me.

“I was never asked my opinion, but I wasn’t surprised. He was desperate to get that judging role, so I’m sure he is delighted.”

Joking that Anton “needs the money”, Bruno also said that he will not be watching him on the panel as it “would not be fair”. 

He said: “It’d be weird, like watching an ex with someone new — you just get on with it honey.

“It’ll do me no good as people will ask me what I think and I don’t want to stick my nose in when I’m not part of it. I think it’s very naff.”

Karwai Tang via Getty Images

Bruno Tonioli (left) will not appear on the Strictly Come Dancing panel this year

Bruno also said he could still return to Strictly next year, should he be invited back.

“It’s totally up to them. If there’s no Covid and they want me, I’ll be back,” he said. “But they may say, ‘Anton was great, we don’t need you’.

“I’ll do something else. It’s like James Bond actors, I’ve done my stint. You cannot be desperate, if you start down that path you’ll go insane. I won’t be second best.”

Anton has made no secret of his hopes to join the judging panel in the past, having previously auditioned for the role of head judge prior to Shirley Ballas’ appointment.

Last year, he sat at the panel for the first time for two weeks, while Motsi Mabuse was unable to fulfil her usual judging role.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in the autumn. 

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Bruno Tonioli To Miss Next Week’s Strictly Come Dancing Live Show

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