Bruno Tonioli has shared how David Walliams welcomed him taking over his role on Britain's Got Talent ahead of viewers seeing his debut on the show. It was announced earlier this year that the former Strictly Come Dancing judge would be replacing the comedian and actor on the judging panel of the hit ITV talent show.
Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly welcomed Bruno to the panel at the first audition taping in January along with fellow judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Simon Cowell. In a video shared by a fan at the time, the audience gasped in excitement as the names of the judges were lowered from above the stage.
Ant said "here they come," before Dec then announced: "Please give a huge London Palladium welcome to the four judges for this afternoon: They are Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli!"
An upbeat Bruno then appeared, punching the air and blowing kisses as he walked to the stage, wearing a sparkling red blazer. "Can we say a massive welcome to Bruno!" said Ant.
Bruno, who was replaced as a judge on BBC One's Strictly by Anton Du Beke in 2021, was then seen picking up a microphone to say: "Thank you very much. I am thrilled to be here."
Bruno then joined Amanda, 52, Simon, 63, and Alesha, 44, at The Lowry in Salford after the first auditions took place in The London Palladium in the West End. During his first sting on the panel, Bruno told The Sun at the time: “This is the biggest show on British TV, now that I’m here. I mean it. Simon is going to hate that I’ve said that but oh well.
"I have nothing bad to say about Strictly, it changed my life. (But) this is completely different and it’s a completely different sort of judging. The range of this show, you see things that you have no idea are coming."
Last year comedian David, 51, apologised for making “disrespectful comments” about auditioning contestants during breaks in filming the popular show in January 2020. He stated: "I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for Britain’s Got Talent in 2020.
"These were private conversations and – like most conversations with friends – were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry." But speaking about David, Bruno revealed how he was one of the first to congratulate him on his new TV job.
"I haven’t seen David, but he was the first person to send me a message saying congratulations," Bruno told Radio Times. "He also sent a fantastic bottle of Italian wine to my dressing room on my first day. I thought that was absolute class," he added.
Bruno described joining the show as “meeting up with your friends and having a laugh” but said he was always nervous before any shows because “I really do care”.
Meanwhile, original judge Amanda described having the energetic star on the judging panel as "putting a Berocca into water and watching it fizz". The radio and TV star said: "He gives some good critiques when he’s not messing around and being naughty. I swear we need to strap him to his chair, he never sits down!
"He’s a sweetheart and very informed, those are the bits that I’m finding really interesting about him. I think he’s still bringing all the energy and character that he had on Strictly, but you get to see more of him because obviously now he’s judging more than just dancing."
And it appears he has a second job on the show. Amanda added: "He also speaks several languages, so it’s been great having him translate for some of our international acts. It’s like having our own BGT interpreter on call every day."
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