Bruno Tonioli is basically the human equivalent of an espresso shot spilled onto a ballroom floor. If you've watched even five minutes of Dancing with the Stars, you know the drill. He’s the one standing on his chair, arms flailing like a windmill in a hurricane, shouting about "pulsating loins" or "the artistry of a Renaissance master."
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine the show without him.
But recently, there’s been a lot of chatter. People saw him leave Strictly Come Dancing in the UK. Then, just recently in late 2025, news broke that he was officially stepping down from Britain's Got Talent (BGT). Naturally, the rumors started swirling like a bad Paso Doble. Is he done with the US version too? Is the glitterball finally losing its luster for the man who has been there since Day 1?
The Truth About Bruno Tonioli Dancing with the Stars Status
Let’s set the record straight: Bruno Tonioli is not leaving Dancing with the Stars.
In fact, the reason he just walked away from his judging seat on Britain's Got Talent—where he’s being replaced by YouTuber KSI for the 2026 season—is specifically to protect his spot on the DWTS panel. The scheduling was becoming a nightmare.
You see, for years, Bruno lived the ultimate jet-setter life. He would film in London, hop on a ten-hour flight to Los Angeles, film there, and repeat. Every. Single. Week. It was a brutal "transatlantic shuffle" that would break a man half his age.
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When Britain's Got Talent shifted its filming schedule to clash directly with the live fall shows of Bruno Tonioli Dancing with the Stars commitments, something had to give. He chose the ballroom. He chose us.
"Due to my prior commitment to Dancing with the Stars, I am sadly not able to be part of the next series of Britain’s Got Talent," Bruno shared recently. It’s a rare moment of professional boundaries for a guy who usually seems to have infinite energy.
Why he actually matters to the show
Some critics say he’s too much. Too loud. Too theatrical. But they’re missing the point. Bruno brings a specific type of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) to the table that isn’t just about being a "personality."
Before he was a judge, Bruno was a top-tier choreographer. We're talking about a guy who worked with Elton John, Tina Turner, and Michael Jackson. When he tells a celebrity their hand placement is "garbage," he isn't just being mean for the cameras. He actually knows where that hand should be.
He sees the things the average viewer misses. The tension in a shoulder. The lack of "compression" in a Cha-Cha. While Carrie Ann Inaba is the "Lift Police" and Derek Hough focuses on the technical nuances of footwork, Bruno is the soul. He judges the performance.
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The Best (and Most Chaotic) Bruno Moments
You can't talk about Bruno Tonioli Dancing with the Stars history without mentioning the chaos. He has fallen off his chair more times than most people have tripped on a sidewalk.
- The Michael Bolton Incident: Back in 2010, Bruno told the singer his Jive was the "worst" he’d ever seen. It sparked a massive feud. Bolton wanted an apology; Bruno gave him a shrug. It was awkward. It was tense. It was great TV.
- Falling Off the Chair (Again): In Season 31, during a particularly enthusiastic critique of Charli D'Amelio, he literally vanished from the screen. One second he’s there, the next—just floor.
- The "Magic Mike" Critiques: Bruno has a way of describing male celebrities that makes everyone—including the host—a little bit red in the face.
The man has no filter. That’s the draw. In an age of heavily scripted reality TV, Bruno is a loose cannon. You never know if he’s going to give a 10 or a lecture on 18th-century Italian opera.
The New Era: Bruno, Carrie Ann, and Derek
The dynamic changed when Len Goodman passed away. Len was the "grumpy" anchor, the one who kept Bruno’s feet (figuratively) on the ground. Now, with Derek Hough in the middle seat, the energy has shifted. It’s younger. It’s faster.
But Bruno remains the bridge to the show’s origins. He’s the only original judge left alongside Carrie Ann. That longevity matters. It gives the show a sense of "home" even when the celebrities change every season.
What Most People Get Wrong About Him
There’s a misconception that Bruno is just "playing a character."
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If you look at his history, the energy is real. He grew up in Ferrara, Italy, an only child of working-class parents. He started dancing before he could talk. He literally moved to Paris at 18 with no money just to join a dance troupe. That "theatricality" is just his personality. He doesn't have a "volume" knob; he’s just always at an 11.
Also, don't forget the language barrier he conquered. He’s fluent in Italian, English, French, and Spanish. Sometimes, his frantic gesturing is just him trying to find the English word for a feeling that only exists in Italian.
What’s next for the ballroom?
As we look toward Season 34 and beyond, Bruno’s presence is more vital than ever. The show has moved from ABC to Disney+ and back again. It’s experimented with different hosts (remember the Tyra Banks era? Yeah, let's not). Through all that transition, the one constant has been that crazy Italian man shouting about "SENSATIONAL" performances.
Actionable Tips for DWTS Fans
If you’re watching the next season and want to "judge like Bruno," here’s what to look for:
- Look for the "Eye of the Tiger": Bruno hates a bored dancer. Even if the feet are perfect, if the face is blank, he’ll dock points.
- The "Line": Watch the arms. Are they extended? Or are they "spaghetti arms"? Bruno loves a clean, sharp line.
- The Passion: Did it feel like a story, or a gym routine? If it felt like a gym routine, expect a 6.
Bruno Tonioli is staying in the States. He’s chosen the ballroom over the talent stage in London, and honestly, the show is better for it. Without his flamboyant critiques, the show would just be people in sequins doing cardio. He makes it art.
To get the most out of the upcoming season, pay attention to the musicality. Bruno often critiques based on how a dancer "hits the beat." Watch the pro dancers' feet compared to the celebrities during the syncopated sections—that's usually where Bruno finds his biggest gripes and his loudest praises. Keep an eye on the official Dancing with the Stars social media for the latest casting calls, as the celebrity-judge chemistry is what truly fuels his most iconic outbursts.