Bruno Tonioli fears there would be a "huge backlash" if the BBC decided to sell ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 60-year-old dancer and choreographer – who sits on the judging panel on the popular latin and ballroom show – says it would be a "delicate process" for the broadcasting company if they opted to sell the format to an independent production company.
He said: "It’s a delicate process. They could upset a lot of people – it is a very very delicate situation with ‘Strictly’, even more than the ‘Bake Off’. The thing is that ‘Strictly’ is a BBC property, they created the show. It is their format.
"It could be sold, but I doubt it will be produced outside. They have to be very careful because ‘Strictly’ is such is an institution in the UK; it is the people’s show.
"If it was a drama I think it would be easier because any production company could do a great job. I do understand it, but there are things like ‘The One Show’ and ‘Strictly’ which are typical BBC and there would be a huge backlash."
And for his part in the show, Bruno doesn’t commit for more than a year at a time.
He told The Sun newspaper: "As a performer they have to first ask me to do it, because I am not under contract.
"I do one series at a time, I worked for them for years but I am not under a long running contract like they have in America. They would have to ask me first and then I would see if it works for me as well it has in the past. We will cross that bridge when we come to it."
Bruno Tonioli’s Strictly Come Dancing fears
