Dancing with the StarsBruno Tonioli, judge, has spoken out about his decision to leave the British version after almost two decades.
The judge was the effervescent Italian Strictly Come DancingSince its inception in 2004, he was having difficulty juggling shows on both sides of the Atlantic. He also was feeling the strain on his health.
In an interview with the UK’s Daily MailTonioli said that he “just couldn’t fly any more.”
He stated that there wasn’t animosity about his decision to stay with the company. Dancing with the Stars, saying:
“There is no animosity, it was a mutual decision with both of us saying, ‘Listen, this is not going to work like it used to.’
“I just couldn’t do the flying any more. I don’t know how I survived that schedule. To be honest, it’s a miracle.”
Tonioli opened up about the physical costs he began to feel towards end of his run Strength.
He said, “There was a moment in the middle of a run when I blanked.
“I did not know where I was or what I was doing.
“It only lasted a second, then I saw the audience looking at me and it all came back to me.”
Tonioli’s role on the British judging panel has been taken by Anton du Beke, a longtime dancer on the show. Tonioli was prevented from returning to the US by lockdown. He took over and has been working full-time ever since. The UK’s show will be back in September.