Bruno Tonioli’s Strictly Come Dancing ‘replacement’ confirmed

Bruno will miss this weekend's show!

Bruno Tonioli

by Alex Ross |
Updated on

He's one of the most popular things about Strictly Come Dancing with his hilarious personality and flamboyant behaviour, but Bruno Tonioli will NOT be on next weekend's show.

After reports were rife over the weekend, Bruno confirmed he's set to be replaced on the panel for ONE WEEK only, with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star Alfonso Ribeiro stepping in alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and head judge Shirley Ballas.

Bruno will be forced to miss the upcoming live show on Saturday 20th October, due to his 'busy schedule', but it seems viewers are very happy with his replacement.

After the news was confirmed on last night's shows, many viewers took to Twitter to express their excitement at seeing the infamous Carlton Banks on the show.

See which couples fell in love on Strictly Come Dancing:

Gallery

RADIO Strictly Come Dancing couples - slider with cover pic

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Swipe through to see which couples found love on Strictly Come Dancing...

Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole2 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole

On the first ever series of Strictly back in 2001, news reader Natasha Kaplinsky and professional dancer Brendan Cole were paired together.Despite both being in other relationships at the time, both Natasha and Brendan called off their romances and started dating after the series finished. Their relationship didn't last long though, and they are now both happily married to other people.

Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna3 of 12
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Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna

It was love at first sight for former Hollyoaks actress Ali Bastian and her Strictly partner Brian Fortuna in 2009. With the pair both single at the time, Ali and Brian started a relationship, only for it to end the following year.

Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff4 of 12
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Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff

When boxer Joe Calzaghe appeared on the show in 2009, he announced to the press that his relationship with his partner Jo-Emma Larvin had come to an end, just one week into his Strictly journey. Joe's professional dance partner Kristina Rihanoff was more than a shoulder to cry on, with the pair starting a romance. They went on to date for four years after show, before announcing their split.

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff5 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff

After her relationship with Joe Calzaghe fell apart, Kristina later met another Strictly contestant, England rugby ace Ben Cohen. Both Ben and Kristina have denied rumours that Ben was still with his ex-wife Abby Blayney at the time they started dating, with the pair claiming they didn't get together until a year later. Things are going well however, the pair now share a daughter together called Milena and are in a happy relationship.

Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev6 of 12
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Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev

After her split from Joe Swash, actress Kara Tointon appeared on the 2010 series of Strictly and mended her broken heart with a little help from professional dancer Artem Chigvintsev.Despite this, things didn't work out for the couple and Kara is now loved-up with her boyfriend Marius Jensen, with rumours suggesting she could be pregnant with the couple's first child.

Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev7 of 12
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Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev

When Countdown presenter Rachel Riley appeared on Strictly in 2013 she was married to her ex-husband Jamie Gilbert. However, after just 16 months of marriage, the pair announced they were set for divorce in November 2016. Fast-forward to 2016 and Rachel revealed she was in a relationship with her 2013 Strictly partner Pasha Kovalev... And they are still together!

Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice8 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Rex/Shuttershock

Georgia May Foote and Giovanni Pernice

Georgia May Foote was dating her Coronation Street co-star Sean Ward when she joined the show in 2015. But when rumours circulated that the couple's relationship wasn't going well, they split in December 2015. Georgia was then spotted getting very cosy with her Strictly partner Giovanni, with the pair enjoying a holiday to Disneyland Paris for New Year.Despite this, the couple ended their relationship in August 2016.

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg9 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Shutterstock

Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg

After weeks of rumours, Joe Sugg appeared to confirm his relationship with Strictly Come Dancing partner Dianne Buswell with a photo on Instagram, the caption read, 'I may not have won the glitter ball, but I've won something a million times more special.'

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez10 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez

Radio presenter Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Gorka Marquez were first linked in the 2017 series, and got together whilst on the 2018 annual tour together. They moved in together in December 2018.

Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts11 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

Giovanni Pernice and Ashley Roberts

Professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts were forced to deny they were dating during the 2018 series, but Giovanni confirmed the relationship in January 2019.In January 2020, the duo confirmed they'd split.

Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard12 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

Caroline Flack and AJ Pritchard

Official news on whether these two are dating is yet to be confirmed, but 2014 Strictly winner Caroline Flack was spotted kissing professional dancer AJ Pritchard at the 2019 NTAs.

One user wrote, 'Carlton is judging #strictly2018 next week!! 🙌🏼' with another adding, 'Hahaha! Alfonso! Love him! #Strictly2018 #freshprinceofbelair'. [sic]

As well as playing the role of Carlton Banks in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Alfonso has remained in the public eye. He actually won the American version of Strictly Come Dancing back in 2014, and he's also appeared as a guest judge on the series a number of times... so the UK version is in good hands!

Alfonso Ribeiro
©Alfonso Ribeiro © Rex/Shuttershock

Alfonso also appeared on the 2013 series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, where he finished in seventh place behind the likes of Joey Essex, Lucy Pargeter and eventual winner Kian Egan.

Meanwhile, in other Strictly Come Dancing news, viewers called the show a 'fix' over the weekend when Seann Walsh and his dancing partner Katya Jones sailed through to next week's show despite THAT kiss last week.

Despite apologising on live TV and changing their dance routine to a 'less sexy' performance, Seann and Katya were the favourites to be axed. HOWEVER, after being scored high by the judges, the pair were put through to next week's show, with Katie Piper losing her place in the competition.

Katya Jones and Seann Walsh
©Katya Jones and Seann Walsh © BBC Pictures

Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 20th October.

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