He became a household name when he joined the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel in 2004, and Italian dancer and choreographer Bruno Tonioli has delighted viewers with his flamboyant personality ever since.
After stepping away from the BBC show in 2022, Bruno – who is also a judge on Dancing With The Stars in the US – replaced David Walliams on Britain’s Got Talent, working alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
Bruno, 69, admits that while he’d never actually seen the show prior to taking the job, he’s learnt a lot from his fellow judges – particularly long-time friend Simon – telling us they like a ‘good giggle’. With the new series starting this week, heat caught up with the star to get all the backstage gossip and chat taking career risks, working with music legends (he famously danced around in a thong in the video for Elton John’s I’m Still Standing), and why he believes a private life is a happy life…
You admitted you were very nervous when you first joined the BGT panel in 2023. Do you feel settled in now?
On the first season, I didn’t have a clue what was going on, because I had never watched the show before. Of course, I knew Simon, but I had never worked with him, so I didn’t want to let him down. Ant and Dec went out of their way to help me that first week. They are two of the best people in showbiz. I remember on the first live show, I watched Amanda and Alesha very closely. I learned a lot from them. But today, I feel much more settled. I love the excitement of the show and it’s a such a huge, warm feeling to watch new talent.
Did you feel like you were taking a career risk?
I have always taken risks in my career – I think it’s good to challenge yourself. When Strictly asked me to come back and sing on the show in 2023, I was determined not to make a fool of myself. But I did it because I wanted to prove something to myself. Joining BGT was another test for me. Today, I feel that I made the right choice. Simon seems happy – and there is a nice buzz among the crew.
How were the BGT auditions in Blackpool this year?
We went to Blackpool for one simple reason – the audience go absolutely insane. They shout, they scream – it’s like being at a football match. But they support you during the auditions and make it so much more fun. There is some great talent this year, so I can’t wait to see how they perform on the live shows. BGT reminds me of the old-fashioned variety shows that don’t exist in Britain any more. It’s the only platform left for these crazy performers. Some are very weird, and some are very brave.
You had a stand-in judge, [musician and boxer] KSI, because of your filming commitments in the US – how did he do?
I like him a lot. He’s so good and confident, he could very easily become a full-time judge – who knows? I get on with him very well. He has his own personality, and I think the viewers will really love him. He has a huge following on social media, so that will be good for helping to bring a new audience to the show.
Singer Sydnie Christmas won last year – were you a big fan?
I love Sydnie. She’s a lovely girl with a great voice. She’s going to have a great career. She’s very honest and real. I’m very proud of her. I hope we may see her during the live shows.
What’s the dynamic like on the judging panel – are there any arguments backstage?
There is no time for arguments! I have a good giggle with the girls, because Amanda and Alesha are so much fun to work with. In the short breaks we get, I tend to read the newspaper to clear my mind and calm my nerves. But I’m always astonished by the amount of energy Amanda has. She is so professional and clearly loves her job on this show. What I adore about Amanda is she always makes time to listen, to check on you and make sure you are OK. She has this amazing ability to put you at ease. I wouldn’t do this job if I wasn’t happy. I have to be happy with the work I do, otherwise what’s the point?
You and Simon go back a long way, don’t you?
Yes, back to the early ’80s when he had long hair down to his shoulders! The thing about Simon is everyone thinks he has always had it easy, but he hasn’t. I remember when he lost everything and had to go back and live with his parents. He has worked very hard to get where he is today, and I admire that. He still makes me laugh and is always playing tricks on me backstage. Whatever people think about Simon, to me, he is still the same person I met over 30 years ago. He is someone who I love and respect.
Were you with him when he first learned that Liam Payne had sadly died?
No, I was actually flying in from Los Angeles and then I heard the news in the car. It was a terrible shock, I couldn’t believe it. When these things happen, it hits you hard. Then I heard Simon had stopped the auditions – he couldn’t cope with that, and we all understood and tried to support him. When these awful things happen, the first thing you must do is look after yourself – and Simon needed to take some time to absorb and make sense of what had just happened to Liam. It reminded me of when my good friend Len Goodman died. I was devastated and I had to be on my own and just be able to think about him, as we had worked together for so many years. So, I understood what Simon would be going through. I knew how he would feel.
In the early days of your career, you worked with Elton John, Duran Duran and Boy George. How often do you look back on that period of your life?
Becoming a choreographer all happened by accident. One moment I was a dancer in the I’m Still Standing video for Elton John, the next thing I know, I’m working as a choreographer for George Michael and Tina Turner. The person who impressed me most was Tina. I worked with her on the video for her song Steamy Windows. She was so natural and humble, very softly spoken, but when she sang, her voice hit you like a truck. She was just amazing. I did so much in those days, but I worked hard and took my opportunities. I was never afraid of taking a chance. I was that hungry for success and I still am today.
What’s been the highlight of your career so far?
As a kid, I always had this dream of making it to Hollywood. In 2005, when I first got offered the role to judge Dancing With The Stars in America, that was the big moment for me and meant so much. But I always remember where I came from.
What was it like growing up in Italy as a child?
It was quite hard growing up as a gay kid in a small town. There were bullies at school, too. As soon as I was 18, I knew it was the right time to leave Italy to follow my dream of going to Hollywood. My father wanted me to become an accountant, but I think he was just protecting me. I used to do these crazy paintings and sell them to family members, so I could pay for my dance lessons. My dad took me to see all the Fred Astaire movies at our tiny cinema in Italy. Dad loved dancing, and he would take Mum every weekend to a dance hall, so his love of dance helped inspire me. It was such a pity that they both died before they could see I had finally made a success of my life. That thought makes me very sad.
Away from the TV cameras, you’re very private – is that because you don’t like fame?
It’s not that I don’t like fame – I’m very grateful for it – and I never forget the people who have helped me get where I am today. But you always have a choice in life, and I don’t do the celebrity circus. I’m not David Beckham and I like to keep myself to myself. I don’t want to talk about my private life or who I’m having dinner with. I like to go to the supermarket like everyone else and I think people respect that. It’s important to just be yourself at all times.
Is it true you never watch yourself on TV?
It’s true, I never do. If you watch yourself too much, it becomes all about the ego – and not the team. All you see is your hair or something you don’t like about yourself, but that’s all irrelevant – you should be focusing on judging the talent. That’s what I love about doing this show.
Britain’s Got Talent returns to ITV on 22 February.