Strictly Come Dancing fans spot ‘dig’ at ‘axed’ judge Bruno Tonioli – but did you notice?

STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have accused the show of 'throwing shade' at former judge Bruno Tonioli in tonight's opening routine.

Movie Night kicked off with the professionals performing an energetic routine to the Encanto hit We Don't Talk About Bruno.

Immediately afterwards host Claudia Winkleman referenced ex judge Bruno, when she said: "We still talk about Bruno... all the time."

Viewers were convinced the song choice was more than a coincidence with one writing on Twitter: "The #BBC#Strictly throwing shade at Bruno with the starting we don't talk about Bruno.

Another posted: "Omg they opened with We Don't Talk About Bruno for Movie Week."

A third quoted Claudia's line and followed it with laughing emojis.

Graziano di Prima took the lead in the opening number and was back on the dance floor minutes later with partner Kym Marsh.

Their performance was one to remember with Anton du Beke calling it the "dance of the series so far".

It earned them two nines - the first time Graziano has scored that high during his time on the show.

Earlier this year Bruno Tonioli said the reason behind his Strictly Come Dancing exit was that he "just couldn't fly any more."

The 66-year-old Italian dance star became an iconic face on the hit series after first landing a part on it as a judge in 2004.

However, after 18 years on the panel, Bruno struggled to divide his time between the UK and his role on the US show, Dancing With The Stars.

Despite speculation over why he quit, Bruno insisted his reasons for stepping down came with "no animosity."

He told the : "There is no animosity, it was a mutual decision with both of us saying, ‘Listen, this is not going to work like it used to.'

"I just couldn’t do the flying any more. I don’t know how I survived that schedule. To be honest, it’s a miracle.”

Bruno, whose replacement is Anton Du Beke, had been flying between the UK and the US to make sure he was present for both shows.

He also said he doesn't want to know what all the flying about might have done to his health.

His last time on Strictly's judging panel was in 2020.