Bruno Tonioli (; born 25 November 1955) is an Italian television personality, choreographer and dancer. He has judged on the British television talent shows Strictly Come Dancing (2004–2019), DanceX (2007) and Britain's Got Talent (2023–2025), and the American television talent shows Dancing with the Stars (2005–present) and Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann (2008).
Career In 1980, as part of the group Duke and the Aces, Tonioli performed in but did not win the United Kingdom's competition to select an entry for the Eurovision Song Contest.
Tonioli has worked in the music business as a choreographer for music videos, stage shows, and tours for artists such as Tina Turner, Sting, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, Camel, Freddie Mercury, Sinitta, Boy George, Dead or Alive, Bananarama, and Duran Duran. He danced in the Elton John video for "I'm Still Standing" (1983).
Tonioli choreographed the band Arcadia's music video for their song "Election Day", as documented in a 1980s documentary entitled The Making of Election Day. He was Anne Hathaway's choreographer in the film Ella Enchanted (2004).
In November 2016, Tonioli lent his name to an album released by Decca Records entitled An Italian Romance, a compilation of Italian songs by various artists selected by Tonioli.
In November 2018, Tonioli presented the BBC Radio 2 series Bruno Tonioli at the Opera.
In October 2022, Tonioli competed in the second series of The Masked Dancer as Pearly King, placing third behind Australian actor Adam Garcia (second place) and American actress and dancer Heather Morris (winner).
In January 2023, it was announced that Tonioli would be joining the judging panel for series 16 of the British talent show Britain's Got Talent, replacing David Walliams.
Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing with the Stars
In 2004, Tonioli was selected to be a judge on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing, along with Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips, and head judge Len Goodman. In 2005, he was then chosen to be a judge on Dancing with the Stars, along with Goodman and Carrie Ann Inaba, where he, along with Inaba, has remained since. For one week during both series 16 and series 17 of Strictly Come Dancing, he was replaced by guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro, due to a broadcasting conflict between the two shows. In addition, Tonioli was also involved in the ABC talent competition Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann.
In 2020, due to flight restrictions stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Tonioli was stuck in the U.S. and therefore did not appear on the Strictly judging panel at all during the series, instead appearing each week via video during Sunday night's results shows.
On 24 June 2021, it was announced that Anton Du Beke, the longest-running Strictly professional, would replace Tonioli as a permanent judge on Strictly Come Dancing for series 19. It was then announced on 19 May 2022 that Tonioli would not be returning to Strictly, and that Du Beke would take over permanently.
On Christmas Day 2022, in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special, Tonioli made a guest appearance and sang "Don't Leave Me This Way" by the Communards. Reactions to the performance were mixed.
Personal life Tonioli is fluent in five languages: Italian, English, Portuguese, Spanish, and French. He has lived in London since 1975 but owns a property in Los Angeles for commitments in the U.S.
Tonioli is gay and has spoken of the homophobic bullying he suffered in his youth. In 2009, Rolling Stone magazine said that Tonioli had "won America's heart with his gay-Italian-maniac steez."
Filmography
Television Year Title Role Notes 1981 Blake's 7 Dead Young Man 1 episode; Uncredited 1985 Murder of a Moderate Man Italian Policeman 1 episode; TV Mini Series Oscar Peppino 1 episode 1987 Top of the Pops Dancer 2001 The Bill Rolf 2004–2019, 2022 Strictly Come Dancing Judge, Guest Performer 2005–2019 Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Himself 41 episodes 2005–present Dancing with the Stars Judge 2007–2008, 2015 Dancing with the Stars Australia Guest Judge 7 episodes 2007–2019 Entertainment Tonight Himself 20 episodes 2007 DanceX Team Leader Also co-creator 2008 Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann 2010 Strictly Cinderella Himself Cbeebies Special 2012 8 Out of 10 Cats 1 episodeTop Gear USA 2013 Doctor Who Live: The Next Doctor TV Special Goodbye Television Centre TV Documentary Piers Morgan's Life Stories Let's Do Christmas with Gino & Mel 2013–2015 Through the Keyhole Guest Panelist 2 episodes 2013–2017 Celebrity Juice 3 episodes 2014 NashvilleHimself1 episode Would I Lie to You? Guest Panelist Celebrity Squares Room 101 2015 The People's Strictly for Comic Relief Judge Celebrity Fifteen to One Himself 1 episode The Dr. Oz Show Reality Bites Guest Panellist 2016–2020 Children in Need Himself 2016 Fuller House Giuseppe Pignoli 1 episode Michael McIntyre's Big Show Himself West Side Stories: The Making of a Classic Presenter TV Documentary 2017 Saturday Night Fever - the Ultimate Disco Movie Eurovision: You Decide Himself TV Special 2018 Eyes of Faith TV Documentary Tribute to George Chakiris Sir Bruce: A Celebration 2019 Tipping Point: Lucky Stars 1 episode 2020 Celebrity Supply Teacher 2021 Horrible Histories Emporer Nero Craig and Bruno's Great British Road Trips Himself 1 series; 6 episodes The Wonderful World of Disney: Magical Holiday Celebration TV Special Take Off with Bradley & Holly 1 episode 2022 The Masked DancerPearly King8 episodes Blankety Blank Himself 1 episode The Wheel Portrait Artist of the Year 2023–2025 Britain's Got Talent Judge2026Vanderpump VillaGuest
Film
+YearTitleRoleNotes 1986Absolute Beginners Maltese Lodger 2003What a Girl Wants Fashion Emcee 2016Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie Himself Cameo Appearance
References
External links
Judges' biography at BBC Strictly Come Dancing site Biography at ABC Dancing with the Stars site Dancing With The Stars: Is Michael Bolton Over-Reacting? at KRTH-FM