Strictly’s Bruno Tonioli reveals he WON’T watch new judge Anton du Beke as it will be ‘weird’
STRICTLY judge Bruno Tonioli admits he won't be watching the next series with Anton du Beke in his seat on the panel.
The much-loved Italian star, 65, lives in the US and is being forced to miss the next series due to uncertainty over coronavirus travel rules.
It means pro dancer Anton is finally realising a dream by filling in for him, but he won't be getting any pointers from the flamboyant silver fox.
Bruno exclusively told The Sun: “Watching Anton would be not fair. It’d be weird, like watching an ex with someone new — you just get on with it honey.
“It’ll do me no good as people will ask me what I think and I don’t want to stick my nose in when I’m not part of it. I think it’s very naff."
However, he has issued a word of warning about being too close to his fellow pros.
He said: “On the US show, it is forbidden for judges to socialise with the pros during production.
“You have to be careful, I’m always aware it could be misconstrued. I don’t have favourites.
“I love and respect them but I’ve always kept my distance. Even backstage, it’s all very nice but I don’t socialise with any of them. It’s like, ‘Don’t go there’. Anton is the opposite of that — very sociable.”
Bruno, who has appeared on Strictly since 2004, is unsure whether he will return to Strictly next year.
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He said: “It’s totally up to them. If there’s no Covid and they want me, I’ll be back. But they may say, ‘Anton was great, we don’t need you’.
“I’ll do something else. It’s like James Bond actors, I’ve done my stint. You cannot be desperate, if you start down that path you’ll go insane. I won’t be second best.
“I worked my butt off for a very long time and I wouldn’t do anything if I didn’t feel comfortable. I’m not one for compromise.”