Bruno Tonioli is set to miss next week’s Strictly Come Dancing, a spokesperson for the show has confirmed.
The 63-year-old – who also appears a judge on the US version of Strictly during the week – will be replaced by Alfonso Ribeiro.
Although no reason has been given for Bruno’s absence, The Sun has said he has “work commitments” in America.When Bruno is judging both Strictly and Dancing With The Stars, he flies back-and-fourth over the Atlantic each week, and had a week off Strictly last year to ease his work load.
A description for next week’s live shows says: “Thirteen celebrity couples remain in the race to be crowned
Strictly Come Dancing champion 2019.
“Each of them will take to the floor in a bid to impress the awesome foursome judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and returning guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro, in the studio, as well as viewers at home.”Alfonso – best known for playing Carlton in the 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air – previously stood in for Bruno last year.
Alfonso also competed in the 19th series of Dancing With The Stars in the US, going on to win the whole series.Before all that, though, there’s the small matter of this week’s live show out of the way, which Bruno will be present for.
On Saturday night, Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe will perform a Charleston to Single Ladies, and it will be AJ Pritchard and Saffron Barker’s turn to deliver a Couple’s Choice routine.
Meanwhile, frontrunner Kelvin Fletcher will be dancing a Rumba to Ain’t No Sunshine, and we can all look forward to Mike Bushell’s Quickstep to *sigh* Come On Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners.
See how the stars get on in this week’s Strictly live show, airing at on Saturday night 6.40pm on
BBC One.READ MORE... A Charleston To Single Ladies And A Quickstep To Come On Eileen: This Week's Strictly Songs Are Out Anneka Rice Ends Her Strictly Journey With One Final Embarrassing Moment Former Strictly Pro James Jordan Thinks It's High Time This Judge Was Axed From The Show