Bruno Tonioli has FINALLY explained to fans just what’s so important that he will miss this weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing shows.
Fans were stunned when Strictly bosses announced Bruno will skip Saturday and Sunday night’s episode because of prior work commitments.
Er, isn’t Strictly his work?!
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Well, now Bruno, 61, has come out and explained the work commitment in question is actually his role as a judge on Dancing With The Stars, aka the American version of Strictly which films in Los Angeles.
He films both shows, which air at the same time, meaning he has to fly back and forth between the US and UK each week.
Bruno tweeted: “100% back next week just had a clash whilst in [Dancing With The Stars].”
When one fan asked if that meant the US show was more important, he replied: “Far from it!”
While viewers were thrilled that Bruno’s absence was only temporary, plenty were scratching their heads about why he hadn’t cleared his calendar for Strictly.
Others wondered whether the pro dancers or the celebrities would be allowed a day off for other work – and pointed out everyone has a busy schedule but can’t just skip work.
A spokesperson for Strictly told The Sun: “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.”
While shows such as X Factor or Britain’s Got Talent often rope in guest judges to cover when the regular panellists are unable to film, Strictly has decided not to replace Bruno.
Instead, his fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Darcey Bussell will continue on as normal as a threesome.
They’ll judge without Bruno on the Saturday night’s show and deliver their dance-off verdict without him on Sunday night’s show.
No Bruno? It will be so strange!
We’re now on week five of the live performances with the competition really heating up.
Last weekend, former X Factor winner Alexandra Burke and partner Gorka Marquez finished top of the leader board with an incredible 39 out of 40 points for their jive to Tina Turner’s Proud Mary.
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In a shock, it was EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova who ended up in the dance-off against Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins and Brendan Cole.
And it was Charlotte who got her marching orders after the judges voted unanimously to save Davood.