TV

Strictly Come Dancing star to MISS this weekend’s shows

And here's what will happen because of it

Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli will skip this weekend’s episodes – marking the first time in 15 YEARS he’s been absent from the panel.

But don’t worry, it’s not because Bruno, 61, is unwell or has an emergency.

He’s actually been given permission by Strictly bosses to miss the live recording because of a work commitment already in his calendar before the show started.

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A spokesperson for Strictly told The Sun: “As was always the plan, Bruno Tonioli is not on the judging panel this weekend due to a very busy work schedule.

“He will be back as normal for our Halloween special and the rest of the series.”

While shows such as X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent often rope in guest judges to cover when the regular panellists are unable to film, Strictly has decided not to replace Bruno.

Instead, his fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Darcey Bussell will continue on as normal as a threesome.

They’ll judge without Bruno on the Saturday night’s show and deliver their dance-off verdict without him on Sunday night’s show.

No Bruno? It will be so strange!

Fans reacted to the news on social media, with one saying: “Scores will be out of 30. Why couldn’t the producers get an ex-Strictly pro dancer to judge for one week.”

Another said: “Bruno missing a show? It won’t be the same lol.”

A third added: “So Bruno is missing Strictly this week and they couldn’t get Donny Osmond in to replace him? This is going to wreak havoc with the scoring.”

And a fourth joked: “Gutted about Bruno missing tomorrow but Shirley, at least no ducking and diving for you tomorrow in fear of being hit eh lol.”

We’re now on week five of the live performances with the competition really heating up.

Last weekend, former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke and partner Gorka Marquez finished top of the leader board with an incredible 39 out of 40 points for their jive to Tina Turner’s Proud Mary.

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In a shock, it was EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova who ended up in the dance-off against Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins and Brendan Cole.

And it was Charlotte who got her marching orders after the judges voted unanimously to save Davood.


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor