{"id":15761,"date":"2022-05-20T11:57:32","date_gmt":"2022-05-20T09:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1649136"},"modified":"2022-05-20T12:27:13","modified_gmt":"2022-05-20T10:27:13","slug":"bruno-toniolis-best-strictly-come-dancing-moments-as-judge-exits","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/bruno-toniolis-best-strictly-come-dancing-moments-as-judge-exits\/","title":{"rendered":"Bruno Tonioli\u2019s best Strictly Come Dancing moments as judge exits"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Michael Hogan\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 20 May 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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We don\u2019t talk about Bruno, no, no, no! Or at least, the official announcement of the Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> 2022 judging line-up doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n

The BBC has confirmed that this autumn\u2019s ballroom contest will retain the same quartet of judges<\/a> as last year. Returning to the paddle-raising panel once again are Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This means not only that ex-pro Anton\u2019s well-received stand-in stint has now been made permanent, but also that Bruno Tonioli won\u2019t be coming back after all. After 18 years, he\u2019s bowed out of the (UK) ballroom for good.<\/p>\n

Bruno\u2019s presence for the past two seasons had been minimal due to the pandemic. He combines his Strictly duties, of course, with the same role on US version Dancing with the Stars.<\/p>\n

However, COVID travel restrictions meant he was unable to commute between the two shows like usual. In 2020, he appeared only via video link. In 2021, Anton kept his seat warm, supposedly on a temporary basis.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s understandable why everyone has come to the decision. As Bruno himself explained on The One Show<\/a>, the travel situation made his return impossible to guarantee. Plus, the 2021 contest, memorably won by Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, was a huge BAFTA-winning hit. Going into the milestone 20th series, why change a winning formula?<\/p>\n

However, the 66-year-old Italian stallion is a Strictly stalwart. He was part of the original cast from 2004 and his flamboyant exuberance will be much missed. The rapturous reception Bruno got from arena crowds when he returned for the latest live tour was testament to his beloved status. Let\u2019s hope he gets some sort of send-off when the Glitterball starts spinning in September.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For now, though, let\u2019s say arrivederci by rewinding Bruno\u2019s best bits.<\/p>\n

Bruno Falling off his chair (season 16, 2018)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Bruno became known for laughing so hard and gesticulating so wildly that he\u2019d slip off his judging chair. He took a full tumble in Movie Week after Dr Ranj Singh\u2019s Aladdin quickstep. \u201cAre you alright, my darling?\u201d asked Tess Daly as he was sprawled out on the studio floor, before quipping: \u201cDo you need a doctor?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n