This year\u2019s line-up includes former Strictly Come Dancing<\/a> judge Bruno Tonioli<\/a>, who stepped back from the BBC show ahead of the 2020 season, at first due to the COVID travel restrictions and then permanently.<\/p>\n He now joins Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon for BGT and when speaking to Radio Times magazine<\/strong> about the upcoming episodes in this week\u2019s issue<\/a>, the choreographer and ballroom dancer revealed his interactions with former judge David Walliams.<\/p>\n When asked whether he\u2019d spoken to Walliams since replacing him<\/a> on the hit talent show, Tonioli said: \u201cI haven\u2019t seen David, but he was the first person to send me a message saying congratulations. He also sent a fantastic bottle of Italian wine to my dressing room on my first day. I thought that was absolute class.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier this year, it was confirmed that Walliams had left the BGT lineup<\/a> for 2023. It came following his apology for making \u201cinappropriate\u201d remarks about contestants<\/a> during a 2020 recording.<\/p> Speaking about taking up his new role as a judge, Tonioli also told Radio Times<\/strong>: \u201cI had a ball, partly because I had never seen it before. It\u2019s true! Simon has teased me to death about it.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t even watch Strictly \u2013 I don\u2019t watch shows that have a judging panel, because I don\u2019t want to be influenced by another judge. I just want to do my own thing. But I had the best time.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a proper variety show and the range of talent is incredible. Some of the contestants are absolutely demented, I have to say.\u201d<\/p>\n In terms of what viewers can expect from Tonioli in the forthcoming run, he promised to be as flamboyant and memorable as ever. He said: \u201cObviously when you\u2019re on screen, you can\u2019t sit there looking bored. You have to give the viewers a show. You have to entertain them.<\/p>\n \u201cSo I crank up my delivery and become a larger-than-life persona. I draw on my years of experience working with the likes of Elton John and Steve Coogan. I\u2019ve done my homework.\u201d<\/p> ![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/3\/2023\/04\/1-SE-16-0-Cover-4ed7b35.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C830"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
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