SIDELINED Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli joked that his successor Anton du Beke “needs the money”.
He also reveals that none of his fellow judges have come forward since he had to resign for a second year.
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Bruno Tonioli with substitute strict judge Anton du Beke
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Bruno admits he’s sad he missed something again and will be back when the BBC has him
Bruno admits he’s sad to have missed something again and will be back when the BBC has him.
But he says they may not need him anymore.
The flamboyant Italian, 65, cannot appear on the panel for the next series due to uncertainty about Covid’s travel restrictions.
Instead, Bruno will stay in the US again as a judge in his version of Dancing with the Stars.
Professional dancer Anton du Beke, 54, who jumped in for a number of shows last year while Bruno was stranded in Los Angeles, is performing again.
In his first interview since the news hit the news, Bruno told The Sun on Sunday, “I’m so sad and frustrated, but there is nothing anyone can do.
“Anton was the obvious choice to replace me.
“I was never asked for my opinion, but I wasn’t surprised. He really wanted to get this role as a judge, so I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. “
Bruno made fun of veteran Hofer Anton and added: “Good for him. He needs the money. “
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The flamboyant Italian Bruno cannot appear on the panel for the new series due to the uncertainty about Covid’s travel restrictions
Strictly speaking, judges make around £ 200,000 per series, compared to an estimated £ 65,000 paid to professional dancers.
Bruno says, despite being bombarded with messages of support, none of his fellow judges – Craig Revel Horwood, 56, Shirley Ballas, 60, and Motsi Mabuse, 40 – have contacted him.
He added, “I haven’t heard from them yet. But I won’t cry, we all have very separate lives.
“And they have given the press very supportive messages.
“I’m going to see Craig anyway for our ITV project together. The girls are fine – we are all professionals. Ultimately, they all know that the priority is to make the show work. “
But Bruno says he won’t see Strictly’s new series if it airs later in the year.
He said, “Watching Anton wouldn’t be fair. It would be weird like seeing an ex with someone new – you just keep going, honey.
“It won’t do me any good as people will ask me what I think and I don’t want to stick my nose in when I’m not there. I think it’s very naff. “
If they want me, I’ll be back … they might just say we don’t need you
Bruno Tonioli
But he warns Anton not to be too close to his colleagues.
Bruno added: “On the US show, the judges are forbidden from interacting with the professionals during production.
“You have to be careful, I am always aware that it could be misinterpreted. I don’t have any favorites.
“I love and respect her, but I’ve always kept my distance. Even backstage everything is very nice, but I don’t see any of them. It’s like, ‘Don’t go there’. Anton is the opposite of that – very sociable. “
Bruno is unsure whether he will return to Strictly next year.
He said, “It’s entirely up to you. If there is no Covid and they want me, I’ll be back. But they might say, ‘Anton was great, we don’t need you’.
“I’ll do something else. It’s like James Bond actors, my time is behind me. You can’t be desperate, if you go this route you will go insane. I won’t be second best.
“I worked my butt off for a long time and I wouldn’t do anything if I wasn’t feeling well. I am not a friend of compromises. “
Bruno – who has been with Strictly since 2004 – announced that the BBC bosses had waited months in hopes that government policies would change so he could fly back and forth from America.
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Bruno will stay as a juror at Dancing with the Stars in the USA and professional dancer Anton du Beke will step in
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Bruno says he has not heard from other judges and adds, “But I will not cry, we all have very separate lives.”
The news was delivered to Bruno’s agent by Strictly producers two days prior to the official BBC announcement last month.
He added, “Until the last moment I thought we would make it.
“I was hoping until last Tuesday that I would get the role, the conversation was still going on until then, we were still looking for opportunities. But what can you do?
“My assumption was that after I had both vaccinations in America, I could go back and forth.
“But the quarantine at both ends meant it wasn’t possible.
I haven’t heard from the other judges … I won’t cry, we have separate lives
Bruno Tonioli
“There is also a real concern on set about spreading Covid, of course I have to be tested and I am vaccinated, but there could be a risk of spreading Covid.
“You cannot say for sure that everyone on the plane is vaccinated, there is no clear global decision.
“It is very difficult. I am sorry not to do it as it has been part of my life for 16 years.”
Until last year, Bruno made the grueling “commute” between LA and London to appear on both UK and US shows.
Anton is desperate … he needs the money
Bruno Tonioli
He said, “I was actually ready to do it because I didn’t want to let anyone down. But it’s up to them. I cannot adjust. I’m not like Simon Cowell – I do a show and pay myself millions
“My agent gave me the news, as is customary with something like this. The BBC is a big institution. I won’t lose sleep because I’m not called myself, you have to be thick-skinned, it’s show business. “
After 16 years of grueling eight-hour flights a week, Bruno will make the most of his break.
He added, “I used to be like a hamster on a wheel. Every cloud has a silver lining.
“If I don’t come back, you’ll see me doing something else.
“Funnily enough, this decision gave me a little more time – I feel a little more alive. I like change. It pumps me up a bit. “
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Bruno said: “I am so sad and frustrated, but there is nothing that anyone can do. Anton was the obvious choice to replace me.Credit: Rex Functions
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Bruno said: “Watching Anton wouldn’t be fair. It would be weird like seeing an ex with someone new, you just keep going honey.Photo credit: PA
Bruno attributes his five decades in showbiz to his thick skin.
He says, “I’ve had so many punches, but I come out stronger because it makes me more determined.
“I’ll miss the audience, the kids, the performance, but that’s how it plays out. Not only is life tough, but I’ll miss being a part of it this year.”
Anton Du Beke joins the committee of Strictly Come Dancing 2021 in place of Bruno Tonioli
