Bruno Tonioli breaks his silence on quitting Strictly – admitting it got ‘too much’

Bruno Toniolo has opened up about his departure from BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing – admitting that flying back and forth between the UK and the US for the show has become ‘too much’ for him.

The 66-year-old judge has been juggling his role on the BBC dancing show with his stateside judging gig on Dancing With The Stars since 2005.

But following his departure from Strictly, Bruno has revealed that he ‘just can’t do it anymore’. 

After regularly taking 10-hour flights between the UK and the US to juggle his commitments, the Italian choreographer told The Sun that he is now ‘done’.

He explained: ‘I’m done. I just can’t do it anymore, going back and forth was too much.’

Bruno has been at the heart of the show since it’s 2004 launch, but ran into some issues when the Covid-19 pandemic hit – with travel restrictions meaning he couldn’t make it back to the UK for the show during its last two seasons. 

Judge: Bruno has been at the heart of the show since it’s 2004 launch, but ran into some issues when the Covid-19 pandemic hit – with travel restrictions meaning he couldn’t make it back to the UK for the show during its last two seasons (pictured in 2019)

He’s off! Bruno quit Strictly Come Dancing after 18 years on the judging panel [pictured on Strictly in 2019]

And recently, it was revealed that Bruno will not be coming back to the UK version and will instead concentrate on being a judge on Dancing With The Stars, with a source telling The Daily Mail’s Richard Eden: ‘Bruno has quit the show for good. 

‘He’s going to be a judge only on [the U.S. version] Dancing With The Stars from now on.’

Last year, Bruno was replaced on the UK judging panel Anton Du Beke amid difficulties jetting back and forth between the UK and the US amid Covid travel restrictions.

He explained: ‘I’m done. I just can’t do it anymore, going back and forth was too much’

While the previous year, Bruno appeared via video link due to the same issues. 

Anton is now confirmed to be a fixture in the Strictly line-up following Bruno’s departure, with the latter delivering his own seal of approvement, adding: ‘Anton is brilliant. He will be brilliant.’

The star sat in on the famous panel last year alongside regular judges Craig , Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas. 

Moving on: Bruno will not be coming back to the UK version and will instead concentrate on being a judge on Dancing With The Stars [pictured with his DWTS co-stars Carrie Ann Inaba, Len Goodman and Derek Hough]

Bruno formed part of the original Strictly line-up alongside Craig, Arlene Phillips and his Dancing With The Stars co-star Len Goodman. 

Long-term: The Italian choreographer has been at the heart of the BBC dance show since its 2004 launch, though for the past two years he hasn’t been a regular on the panel

Replaced: Last year, Bruno was replaced on the UK judging panel Anton Du Beke amid difficulties jetting back and forth between the UK and the US amid Covid travel restrictions 

Farewell: A source told Eden confidential: ‘Bruno has quit the show for good. He’s going to be a judge only on [the U.S. version] Dancing With The Stars from now on’ [picture in 2021]

Anton joined the BBC show in 2004 as a dancer in its first series but has never lifted the Glitterball Trophy in his 18 years partnered with celebrities. 

Recently, Craig reportedly received a telling off by Strictly bosses after telling an audience that Anton is returning as a judge this year while on his All Balls and Glitter Tour – before it was announced.

A TV insider told The Sun: ‘When Anton wasn’t included on the announced line-up of Strictly pros, it was assumed he’d be back as a judge again.

‘But the BBC said nothing was nailed on yet.

‘Now Craig has blabbed the news and the Beeb aren’t happy — they hadn’t even told Bruno he was being replaced.’ 

OGs: Bruno formed part of the original Strictly line-up alongside Craig [L], Arlene Phillips [centre] and his Dancing With The Stars co-star Len Goodman

Staying put: Bruno will remain a judge on Dancing With The Stars, which he’s been part of since it debuted in 2005

Replacement: The 55-year-old, stood in for Bruno Tonioli and is now set to be a permanent fixture on the panel