Fans of Strictly Come Dancing were left a little baffled as judge Bruno Tonioli made a return to the show for their Christmas Day special. The Italian dancer and choreographer had been a regular on the Strictly judging panel since the hit series began in 2004 but announced his shock departure in May.
However the 67-year-old shocked audiences at home and in the studio as he came back for a one-off appearance - to SING a version of Don’t Leave Me This Way by The Communards. He was accompanied by professional dancers Dianne Buswell, Cameron Lombard, Nikita Kuzmin, Michelle Tsiakkas, Karen Hauer and Lauren Oakley.
And it is safe to say his performance received mixed reviews from fans, Manchester Evening News reports.
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@Simon_n_Paddy said: "Have you just seen Bruno Tonioli, magnificently massacring "Don't leave me this way"? @ohdomeafavour tweeted: "who told Bruno Tonioli this was a good idea."
@janehill64 tweeted: "Bruno flew halfway across the world for that?" @MichaelGoodeve added: "I’m not sure if I really saw Bruno’s performance or whether 2022 has finally taken its toll on me. #strictly"
@j_bailey29 tweeted: "That performance from Bruno on #Strictly justifies a refund on the license fee." And @AnnmarieCarvy wrote: "I love Strictly but even I’m not sure why I’m watching Bruno Tonioni do a strange karaoke version of Don’t Leave Me This Way."
Others loved to see Bruno back on TV and praised his performance on the microphone.
@xx_Michelle_oo tweeted: "I miss Bruno so much on Strictly. was a great treat to see him perform on the Christmas Special." @EmmaGeah wrote: "I have no idea why or what is happening but enjoying Bruno’s return to Strictly!
@hermitemporary added: "Ahh Christmas Strictly, Ahhhh BRUNO !! Absolutely the best bit of the Show, yaay!!" And @KirstyCakes3006: wrote: "I don't really miss Bruno being a judge at all but his return to the ballroom was EPIC."
Bruno said he left the show after he and BBC bosses both agreed things were not going to work after he was struggling to divide his time between the UK and his role on US show Dancing With The Stars, which films around the same time of year in America. He was replaced by Anton Du Beke as a judge.
The Christmas Day special featured dances from Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts and Giovani Pernice, Gavin and Stacey actor Larry Lamb and Nadiya Bychkova; soap actress Alexandra Mardell and Kai Widdrington, DJ Rickie Haywood-Williams and Luba Mushtuk; podcaster Rosie Ramsey and Neil Jones; and CBeebies presenter George Webster and Amy Dowden.
It was won by Corrie star Alexandra Mardell and Kai Widdrington.
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