Showbiz

Bruno Tonioli Supports Strictlys Bold Dancer Changes

Strictly Come Dancing may have suffered a bruising year of scandals, shock exits and a 'bloodbath'.But former judge Bruno Tonioli has insisted the BBC's dramati...

Bintano News

May 29, 2026

Come Dancing may have suffered a bruising year of scandals, shock exits and a 'bloodbath'.

But former judge has insisted the 's dramatic cull of professional dancers was simply part of the brutal reality of showbusiness.

, 43, , 35, , 36, Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, and , 36, were all given the boot amid the 'Strictly bloodbath'.

And while sources say BBC bosses have chosen to keep professionals with large online followings in a desperate bid to draw in younger viewers, Bruno has now backed the decision.

Speaking to the Daily Mail at the British Awards on Thursday night, the 70-year-old said: 'Dancing is like sport, there's a point when you know to have the best team you have to get the best players. It's nothing personal.

'I've been a dancer, I know what it's like. There's a point when you say I cannot do it. Your body can't perform at the same level. There is nothing nasty about it.'

Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli has insisted the BBC's dramatic cull of professional dancers was simply part of the brutal reality of showbusiness

Karen Hauer, 43, (pictured left) Gorka Marquez, 35, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, (pictured middle) Michelle Tsiakkas, 30, and Luba Mushtuk, 36, were all given the boot amid the 'Strictly bloodbath'

The flamboyant Italian star, who served on the judging panel from the show's launch in 2004 until 2022, insisted the long-running BBC programme must continue evolving if it wants to survive.

He added: 'Things need to be kept up to date and you have to have new blood, new people, opportunities. There's a whole new generation that needs exposure, and that's one of the great things that this show does.

'It's showbusiness, if it was easy, everyone would do it.'

Bruno also threw his support behind the show's brand-new presenting team after the BBC confirmed Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe will replace outgoing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

He said: 'It's a great decision. They will be great, absolutely great. They work very very hard, please give this team a chance because they are good people.'

Reflecting on the programme's enduring popularity, Bruno added: 'I haven't done it for a few years but it is my family , it really has become part of British culture. It's so ingrained with the public.

'It has given so much pleasure to the country for more than 22 years. We are doing something right.

'People love it. I still walk in the street and I get just such amazing feedback for the old years.'

Speaking to the Daily Mail at the British LGBT Awards on Thursday night, the 70-year-old said: 'I've been a dancer, I know what it's like. There's a point when you say I cannot do it. There is nothing nasty about it. Your body can't perform at the same level.'

They will be joined by some new professional dancers who are yet to be announced.

Meanwhile, the judging panel now consists of Anton, 59, Shirley Ballas, 65, Craig Revel Horwood, 61, and Motsi Mabuse, 45.

Earlier this month, the BBC confirmed Emma Willis, 50, Josh Widdicombe, 43, and Johannes Radebe, 39, are the brand-new hosts of Strictly.

The unlikely trio will take over from outgoing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after they stepped down in October.

Elsewhere, Strictly has been hit by a string of scandals, including claims of drug taking and abusive behaviour towards contestants by pro dancers.

Pros Giovanni Pernice and Graziano di Prima both left the show, with Graziano going after allegations that he had stamped on his partner Zara McDermott. Pernice was investigated by the BBC over bullying allegations made by his partner, Amanda Abbington, some of which were upheld.

While many have said recent scandals could mark the end of Strictly, Bruno strongly disagrees.

He said: 'No, why would you want something that has given so much pleasure for over 22 years to go? It brings so much pleasure.

'It is like a family, and look at how much they have done for dance. There is too much emphasis on the negative, and we need to give credit to what the show has achieved.

'It has become part of British culture, they work incredibly hard.'

Bruno Tonioli Supports Strictlys Bold Dancer Changes

They will be joined by some new professional dancers who are yet to be announced.

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