Strictly: Bruno Tonioli will not be permanent judge on 2020 season due to travel restrictions

Tonioli will appear by video during weekly results show

Bruno Tonioli will not be a permanent judge on the forthcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing.

Tonioli, 64, has sat on the judging panel since the dance competition first aired in 2004, flying back and forth from the US each week while he also shoots US version Dancing With The Stars.

However, with the coronavirus pandemic making travel difficult, it was announced on Friday (21 August), that the choreographer would not join Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas on the judging panel in the forthcoming season.

Instead, Tonioli will appear via video during Sunday night’s pre-recorded results shows to keep in the loop and offer his thoughts on the dances. If travel restrictions allow, he hopes to return for the final four weeks, but this could be reduced to two if forced to quarantine.

“I absolutely adore being part of Strictly and can’t wait to see what incredible dancing this year has in store,” he said.

Tonioli (far right) on the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ judging panel (BBC/Guy Levy)

“Lockdown has resulted in me being in LA for the foreseeable, but I’m excited to be involved as much as I possibly can. There was no cha-cha-chance I’d miss out.”

In spite of the pandemic, the Saturday night entertainment series will go ahead this autumn with a “slightly shorter” series to allow the cast and crew the time and space to comply with social distancing measures.

Strictly, which is in its 18th series, is expected to return on 24 October for a nine-week run in lieu of its usual September start. Some reports have suggested that the professional dancers will face a six-week lockdown and will not be allowed to see friends and family once rehearsals begin.

In a statement, the BBC said: “The Strictly Come Dancing team are doing everything they can to bring the nation plenty of Strictly magic later this year.

“To ensure we deliver the high standards audiences know and love, and in light of the ongoing considerations around Covid-19, this year’s series of Strictly will have a slightly shorter run than usual… The safety of our cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us.”

It was also announced this week that the show would not feature a Christmas Day festive special this year.