TV

Strictly bosses ‘investigating viewer complaints’ over Bruno Tonioli’s behaviour on show

Bruno touched fellow judge Shirley Ballas' breasts live on air

It’s been reported that Strictly Come Dancing bosses are ‘investigating’ viewer complaints following judge Bruno Tonioli’s behaviour on the show last weekend.

During last Saturday’s show Bruno appeared to accidentally grab head judge Shirley Ballas’s breast.

Now it’s been said that bosses have received a string of complaints from viewers over the incident.

Read more: Strictly Come Dancing’s Ruth Langsford floored by injury ahead of tonight’s performance

The Italian star appeared to slide his hands across Shirley’s chest, leaving host Tess Daly in shock.

Bruno then went ahead to judge contestant Alexandra Burke’s routine.

The Sun reports that the BBC is now dealing with complaints from viewers who weren’t impressed by the incident.

A TV source told the tabloid: “Bruno’s behaviour was obviously meant to be harmless but a number of viewers didn’t see it that way at all.

“The BBC has now received formal complaints and will be officially looking into them to decide whether Bruno’s behaviour was acceptable.

“He obviously thought it was light-hearted fun, but you could tell Tess was shocked by her reaction. She looked completely aghast.

“Bruno is obviously a larger-than- life sort of character but a number of viewers felt that touching a woman’s chest like that even in jest sends out the wrong message.”

Despite this, the episode raked in a whopping 10.1 million viewers.

Viewers watched a line-up of famous faces take to the dance floor for the first time to show off their dancing skills.

But now in week two, one contestant has been floored by an injury already and had to give up rehearsal time to rest.

This Morning’s Ruth Langsford revealed she pulled a hamstring just before her second performance with partner Anton Du Beke.

Ruth and Anton are due to perform a fast-paced Charleston this weekend, but have been unable to rehearse as Ruth rests up with her leg in ice.

Ruth, 57, spilled all about her injury in a video on her Instagram, telling her followers: “Just before I went down (to the rehearsal studio) I was in my dressing room and I thought, ‘I’ll just walk through my steps and familiarise myself and make sure I know the routine,’ and I kicked my leg out, and I’ve pulled a hamstring.

“So I had to go to the physio, she wouldn’t let me do the rehearsal this afternoon, she’s told me I’ve got to ice it.”

First injury……aghhhh! @bbcstrictly Sorry we had to miss rehearsal @mrantondubeke #hamstring #rest

A post shared by Ruth Langsford (@ruthlangsford) on

It comes after last week Ruth failed to impress the judges and ended up at the bottom of the leader board.

The This Morning presenter admitted her nerves got the better of her and that showed in her performance.

On the night judge Craig Revel Horwood told Ruth: “It really was the stumble and grab dance for me. Hopefully you’ll do better next week, darling.”

Ruth appeared upset over the comment as she said: “I tried, Craig, I tried.”

But the Loose Women star has gained support from her fans, hubby Eamonn Holmes and dance partner Anton.

Speaking about her performance Anton said: “She looked lovely and from the waist up I thought she was perfect, just beautiful and elegant.

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“The great thing about Ruth to me is that she looks incredible, I love her.”

Meanwhile Eamonn, 57, praised his wife in a sweet Instagram post.

He wrote: “She did her best but she couldn’t beat her nerves.

“I love her so much. Time to bring her home time.”


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)