Bruno Tonioli has been a staple on television and media after he burst onto our screens during Elton John ‘s music video for “I’m Still Standing”.
The professional choreographer, 67, then became a household name in 2004 when he joined the judging panel on new BBC show Strictly Come Dancing. Offering up his bubbly personality, Italian Bruno endeared himself to the public as he took over the show with his over-the-top remarks.
But after eighteen years on the show, Bruno dramatically left and a return to the panel seems to be “impossible”, according to Tonioli himself. Since then, Bruno has made a career out of judging, with no plans to return to the BBC show any time soon.
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So, as Bruno celebrates his 68th birthday, Daily Star looks at Bruno Tonioli’s life after he left the show, from hitting the big time with Britain’s Got Taklent to moving to the US.
Big move to BGT
(Image: ITV)
Bruno dramatically left Strictly in 2022, after eighteen years of giving fans his over-the-top personality. Speaking out after quitting the show, he admitted that the commitments he had as well as the programme meant it was “a miracle” that he had lasted on the show that long.
However, things would be on the up for Bruno after he joined ITV to judge Britain’s Got Talent for the 2023 series. Bruno landed the role after previous judge David Walliams opted to leave the programme after it was revealed the comedian had made inappropriate comments on some of the contestants.
Bruno took on the role with open arms, earning triple his salary that he had been getting whilst on the BBC as he raked in a whopping £850,000 a year. However, fans of the show hit out at bosses for hiring him, with former stars of the programme calling Bruno out as not being “a good fit”.
Since the show ended, Bruno has expressed an interest in staying on the panel of the hit ITV show. Other fans have also asked bosses to keep him on, due to his bubbly personality, with many branding him “hilarious”.
Going stateside
(Image: ABC via Getty Images)
As well as judging Strictly in the UK, Bruno was roped in to become a judge on the American series Dancing with the Stars for its first series in 2005. Since then, Bruno has become a star in the States, which factored into his departure from the original British version.
In 2019, the Italian dancer was unable to balance the two judging roles at once, and Anton du Beke was instead promoted to a judging role, to help ease pressures of Bruno. But after the COVID-19 pandemic and numerous restrictions in place for travel, Bruno opted to focus permanently on the American version of the show.
Despite this, Bruno has found fame stateside, with fans of the show regularly showering Tonioli in praise. He also paid tribute to Anton for taking his place on the British edition, adding: “I think Anton has done a fantastic job. He deserves to be on that seat. It’s a 10 from me. Carry on. Do me proud.”
Personal life and tributes
(Image: Instagram/brunotonioliofficial)
Bruno is still loved up together with his beau, model Jason Schanne. Having been together for over a decade, the pair continue to go from strength to strength as the happy couple had a commitment ceremony to seal their love.
Tonioli, however, has shown his more emotional side when fellow judge Len Goodman sadly passed away earlier this year. Paying tribute to his good pal Len, Bruno posted an intimate pic of the twosome, captioning the post: “Heartbroken my dear friend and partner for 19 years, the one and only ballroom legend Len Goodman passed away.
“I will treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together,” he continued. “There will never be anyone like you, we will miss you.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
