It’s official. Dancing with the Stars judge Bruno Tonioli has joined the Britain’s Got Talent judges panel, taking the place of David Walliams. The BGT social media accounts announced the news today as the show began filming auditions in London (Jan 24).
Bruno will replace Walliams in the ITV show, following a Guardian report late last year which included a recording of Walliams making derogatory remarks about contestants including calling one a “c–t” and saying of another: “She thinks you want to f— her, but you don’t.”
Let's give a big #BGT welcome to our new Judge, @BrunoTonioli! ?@ITV @WeAreSTV #BGT pic.twitter.com/FGDXyTVBCO
— BGT (@BGT) January 24, 2023
Bruno is no stranger to UK audiences. He was a Strictly Come Dancing judge from its beginning until last year when he was replaced by Anton Du Beke. For years the judge flew back and forth on weekends to judge both Dancing with the Stars and Strictly at the same time.
But the difficulty of flying in the COVID-19 era played into Bruno’s decision to only judge one competition in the fall. There is no overlap between DWTS and BGT that would affect Bruno’s ability to be where he needs to be on time.
Tonioli was a Strictly judge fromits inception until last year when he was replaced by Anton Du Beke. The Dancing With the Stars judge had been absent from the 2020 edition due to Covid-19.
He joins fellow Judges @SimonCowell, @AmandaHolden, @aleshaofficial and our hosts @antanddec on their search for Britain's BEST talents!@ITV @WeAreSTV #BGT pic.twitter.com/Kf4brQAMrW
— BGT (@BGT) January 24, 2023
Hosts Ant and Dec introduce new Britain’s Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli
Watch hosts Ant and Dec introduce the judges panel, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli. “I am thrilled to be here.” Bruno gushes before trying out his Golden Buzzer.
“Here we are, Britain’s Got Talent. I am so excited. It’s my first show, I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I’m sure it’s going to be brilliant,” he added.
Ladies and Gentlemen, your brand new #BGT panel – Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli… pic.twitter.com/mUvb57YCEZ
— Adam Khan (@Adam_Khan100) January 24, 2023
