Bruno Tonioli has admitted returning to the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel is "too complicated" and ruled out coming back in the near future.
The 66-year-old spent 18 years in one of the four judges seats on the popular BBC One show but stepped down from the role in May as he struggled to cope with the exertions of travelling between the UK and the United States for Dancing With The Stars.
Fan favourite Anton Du Beke replaced the Italian choreographer for series 19 in 2021 to sit alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas instead of taking to the ballroom floor himself.
The judges line-up will remain intact for the 2022 series, which is likely to begin in September, after Du Beke was named as Tonioli's permanent successor.
Bruno, speaking to MailOnline at Sister Act! The Musical press performance on Wednesday, opened up about the hectic travelling schedule which made it "impossible" to remain on the British show despite describing it as his "family".
Tonioli said: "Well I always will miss it, it's my family, but I mean we'll always be friends and you never know what's going to happen.
"At the moment, you know it's just as impossible, you know the situation is too complicated but they're all my brothers and sisters, we're all loving each other, you know, no hard feelings, they're great, they do a great job.
"You know what's going to happen, no one knows what's going to happen in the future, but at the moment I do the American show but I can't do the travel, it's impossible."
Bruno discussed his tiresome itinerary over the last 17 years where he would film Strictly on Saturday before flying to Los Angeles on Sunday morning and straight into meetings.
He would spend a few days working on Dancing With The Stars before coming back to this side of the Atlantic Sea for the following weekend of Strictly action and would do this for 11 straight weeks.
Bruno keeps in contact with former Strictly head judge Len Goodman as the pair work together on the American version of the popular dancing competition.
The Italian spoke candidly about his experiences in the hotseat and admitted he doesn't know who the celebrity is in the pairing on a regular basis, asking the 78-year-old for help.
Tonioli said that not knowing the celebrities was better overall as "you don't have any preconceived ideas".
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