Bruno Tonioli won’t appear on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ this weekend.
The flamboyant judge hasn’t missed an episode of the ballroom and latin series in the 15 years he’s been on the panel, but this Saturday’s (21.10.17) show is set to be somewhat quieter as he has been forced to drop out due to a "prior work commitment".
A spokeswoman for the show told The Sun newspaper: "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."
This weekend will feature a judging panel of just three – Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and Shirley Ballas – as TV bosses decided not to pull in a guest judge.
However, head judge Shirley – who was brought in as Len Goodman’s replacement after he quit the programme last year – will probably have an easier job on her hands as she won’t have to keep the 61-year-old choreographer in check.
Bruno came under fire this month when he was accused of trying to cause a rift between Davood Ghadami and his wife Isobel by claiming his racy routine with his professional partner Nadiya Bychkova looked like they were ready for the bedroom.
James Jordan – who used to be a professional dancer on the show until 2013 – said at the time: "I found it disgusting — let’s not forget this guy is a married man with two children. Bruno may have been joking but they’re joking with people’s lives here.
"He’s dancing with a good-looking girl and producers are trying to make her out to be this maneater which again is extremely unfair on her. These people are married."
Bruno Tonioli to miss Strictly Come Dancing this weekend
