Bruno Tonioli: Strictly Come Dancing judge to return for 2022 UK arena tour - why did he leave TV series?
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement.
and live on Freeview channel 276
Bruno Tonioli has been part of the judging panel on Strictly Come Dancing for years, but isn’t taking part in this year’s series.
But why is he missing from the dancing show and will he be part of the Strictly Come Dancing live tour panel?
Here’s what you need to know.
Why isn’t Bruno Tonioli on the Strictly Come Dancing 2021 judging panel?
The star pulled out of the current series of the television programme due to uncertainty around Covid travel restrictions between the UK and the US.
Tonioli is currently based in the US, where he is also a judge on American series Dancing With The Stars.
Anton Du Beke - who competed in the show as a professional in the show since its inception - took Tonioli’s place on the judging panel for the current series of the BBC celebrity dancing competition.
Will he be on the judging panel for the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 UK arena tour?
Fans of the Italian judge will be excited to hear that Tonioli is set to return to Strictly Come Dancing for the 2022 UK arena tour.
He will be reunited with Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood in a string of live shows.
The arena tour will be directed by Revel Horwood and will feature performances from some celebrities and professional dancers from the current series of the programme.
Each night, the audience will be able to vote for their favourite dance.
Tonioli said: “I am absolutely delighted to be back on the judging panel for the Strictly Arena Tour for the first time in two years.
“I’ve missed my fellow judges, I’ve missed the glitz and glamour of the tour and I’ve missed the amazing audiences that come to see us all over the country – I hope you have missed me too.
“I cannot wait to be back alongside Shirley, Craig, the celebs and the pros.
“The fans are really in for a treat – next year’s arena tour is going to be simply fantastico.”
Ballas said: “I’m really looking forward to rejoining Bruno and Craig on the Strictly live tour.
“The audiences at the arena shows are amazing – I can’t wait for January when we get the show on the road.”
Revel Horwood added: “I’m delighted to be back directing and judging the 2022 tour.
“Next year is going to be bigger and better than ever before.
“With Bruno coming back to join us on the judging panel, this year will be just fab-u-lous.”
When will the Strictly Come Dancing tour take place?
The live tour will take place in January and February of 2022 and features dates in Birmingham, Leeds, Newcastle, Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow, Nottingham and London.