Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli to miss first episode in THIRTEEN years this Saturday

IT'S not just the dancers and the celebrities who have gruelling schedules when it comes to Strictly, but the judges too.

And things have got so manic for BRUNO TONIOLI that he's had to book a day off work - the first he's missed since Strictly began 13 years ago.

It means the fearsome four-person panel will be a judge down on tomorrow night's show.

And sadly, bosses won't be letting someone else fill his chair - sorry, ANTON DUBEKE and BRENDAN COLE - and instead will operate with just SHIRLEY BALLAS, CRAIG REVEL HORWOOD and DARCEY BUSSELL.

A source said: "Bruno has a very busy work schedule and because of other commitments, he's had to tell the BBC that he can't do the show.

"He's often between the UK and US because of his work on Dancing With The Stars but he couldn't move this commitment, so he's had to send his apologies."

The source added: "They've known for some time but it's a new situation for them to be in with a judge down.

"The producers will have to muddle through with just Shirley, Darcey and Craig."

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A spokeswoman for the BBC confirmed last night that Bruno would not be taking part in either of this weekend's shows .

She said: "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."

I hope he hasn't got any more scary surprises in store for us.