Bruno Tonioli now – ‘impossible’ Strictly return, huge BGT wage and rule break

British Italian dancer Bruno Tonioli became well-known to fans for his eccentric personality and impeccable dance talent on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.

Appearing alongside late star Len Goodman, Arlene Philips and Craig Revel Horwood, the 67-year-old was a part of the original lineup when the competition first hit screens in 2004. As his career as a TV judge flourished, Bruno also became a judge on America's Dancing With The Stars.

But fans were left disappointed when work commitments and Covid-19 saw Bruno leave the BBC show for good. And in 2022 it was announced that he would not be returning to the show.

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Daily Star has taken a look at what Bruno did next.

Deciding to leave

Bruno left Strictly fans in a state of shock when he announced he was leaving the show for good last year. The TV judge was filming both the UK and US versions simultaneously for a number of years alongside long-serving host Len.

But in 2021, COVID-19 made flying back and forth difficult for the star due to travel restrictions. During that time, professional dancer Anton Du Beke took his place and has remained as a judge on the show ever since.

Sharing his reasons for stepping down from the iconic role, Bruno said he and BBC bosses both agreed things were not going to work. It was clear Bruno was struggling to divide his time between the UK and his role on US show Dancing With The Stars, which films around the same time of year.

Discussing his departure, he said: "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 added: "I just couldn’t do the flying anymore. I don’t know how I survived that schedule. To be honest, it’s a miracle. I have no idea what it did to my health, don’t go there!”

However, it seems Bruno's move across the pond was worth it, as he is said to have a fortune of £8million from his TV work.

Britain's Got Talent

Although it looked as though Bruno's career was over, fans were delighted when it was revealed that he would be joining Britain's Got Talent as a judge.

After long-serving judge David Walliams decided to step down following his controversial comments, Bruno was up for the challenge and took his place. Earlier this year Bruno joined Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden for the iconic show.

However, although he was excited to join the show, Bruno admitted that he had never seen it before. He told Digital Spy: "I was nervous because I had no idea. I had never seen the show. Obviously, they're all friends, but they've done it for 10 years.

"I was actually nervous because it's like you're jumping into a play, you've never rehearsed with a cast you do your performance with. They have been so supportive."

But the star certainly made his mark on the show as one of his first moves as a judge was to use his Golden Buzzer twice, when the judge is only allowed to choose one act per series, leaving his co-stars stunned.

Bruno's salary has been revealed as £800,000 per series for Britain's Got Talent.

'Impossible' Strictly return

Bruno has previously said that it may be "impossible" to return to the BBC show. Talking to MailOnline the star said he will always "miss it" while describing those at Strictly as his "family".

He said: "At the moment, you know it's just as impossible, you know the situation is too complicated but they're all my brothers and sisters, we're all loving each other, you know, no hard feelings. They're great, they do a great job."

"No one knows what's going to happen in the future, but at the moment I do the American show but I can't do the travel. It's impossible."

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