Bruno Tonioli 'to quit' Britain's Got Talent after just two series as ITV plans big shake-up - and there are already two favourites to replace him
Bruno, 69, joined the ITV variety programme in 2023, replacing David Walliams who departed under a cloud.
He joined Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon last year and returned for its most recent series, which became the show's longest yet.
However, the flamboyant former Strictly Come Dancing judge's jam-packed schedule is making it harder to lock him down for filming BGT.
A TV insider told The Sun: 'The filming schedule in 2024 meant that Bruno could get away with not being present for filming one week of auditions.
'But it would be virtually impossible for him to miss two weeks, because in the final edit, that equates to half the episodes in the new three-month run of BGT, which will air from February of 2026.
'There is absolutely no ill feeling about the situation, it's simply down to changes in the schedule making it incredibly difficult to remain as a full time judge.
'The only hope is if his long-time friend and fellow panellist Simon Cowell steps in to make it clear that he has to be a part of the show, no matter how difficult it proves to be.'
The publication adds that comedian Alan Carr - who narrowly missed out on the spot to Bruno, could be drafted in as his replacement.
MailOnline has contacted Britain's Got Talent for comment.
Meanwhile, singer KSI, who stood in on the most recent series as a guest judge, is also on the shortlist after winning viewers over.
Previously addressing chatter about KSI to become a permanent judge, Bruno showed he wasn't phased.
He said: 'We're both young, attractive, multi-talented stars known the world over.
'Joking aside, I think KSI is fantastic — a real charming man full of energy. We attended the BRITs together too, which was a fabulous evening.'
He replaced David Walliams who departed the show under a cloud in 2023
It was recently revealed how the auditions for the next series of Britain's Got Talent will take place in just Blackpool, in October.
Viewers saw the show kick off in February this year, with episodes airing each Saturday night, replacing the traditional nightly episodes.
The live semi-finals - which usually air nightly over the course of one week, were also shown on Saturday nights.
MailOnline revealed how Alan, 49, broke down in tears when BGT producers told him he didn't bag the vacant chair on the judging panel as Simon favoured Brno.
He said how he 'regretted' the move as it would have seen the funnyman work with close pal Amanda Holden.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
5 minutes ago
- The Sun
Strictly star slams ‘manipulative' TV industry after quitting fame for OnlyFans – and reveals family member's jibe
A FORMER Strictly star has branded the TV industry as 'manipulative' after quitting fame for OnlyFans. John Whaite rose to fame after winning The Great British Bake Off in 2012. 4 4 The 36-year-old later competed on Strictly Come Dancing, finishing as runner-up behind Rose Ayling-Ellis. Speaking to Gay Times Magazine, John opened up about his experiences in the TV industry. The baker and presenter said: "I think the deeper conversation here is about welfare generally within the TV industry. I think that is still very much an elusive beast. "As soon as Strictly finishes, it's like, get out the hotel, get out the flat, go home, but that is a life- altering event for the individual who's been subject to the headlines, often at the hand of these shows, because these shows sometimes feed stories to the media. "TV is manipulative and it's a distortion of truth, there's always an ulterior motive. "People aren't being fed the unadulterated, objective truth. And I certainly don't subscribe to that." Continuing, John recounted how he was "around 23" during his time on Bake Off. He recalled thinking his "existence hinged on being successful in television." John added: "But I think when you go through all these different permutations of your life, you start to realise that the b******t just does not matter. "What actually matters is your health, your sanity, your loved ones, your family, be it biological or chosen." Elsewhere in the interview, John revealed a family member had called him "disgusting" due to his OnlyFans content. The Sun previously revealed how he made a return to the platform earlier this year. The star had been posting a series of very explicit videos and images for his legion of subscribers on the adult-only website. Sources close to the star – who was paired with Johannes Radebe on Strictly - said: 'John has been telling friends he feels really empowered by posting what he wants. 'He's in amazing shape and is proud of how far he has come. 'He's says it really has nothing to do with money and it's not about helping fund his bakery business. 'John doesn't care what anyone else thinks. "He's really happy with the content he is creating.' 4
Daily Mail
6 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Osteopath under fire for calling patient 'Nora Batty' after iconic housewife character from BBC sitcom Last of the Summer Wine
An osteopath has been sanctioned for referring to a patient as 'Nora Batty' during an appointment. The reference to the Last Of The Summer Wine character – known for her curlers and wrinkled stockings in the 1980s BBC sitcom – was deemed to be 'unacceptable professional conduct'. A disciplinary panel said the remark, made by Peter Rees, was 'pejorative' and 'inappropriate'. Mr Rees was also found guilty of manipulating the patient's spine despite the risk this posed because of her condition resulting in a fractured clavicle. A professional conduct committee of the General Osteopathic Council (OPC) found Mr Rees's actions to be a 'serious departure' from the standards required and admonished him. The panel heard that Mr Rees is self-employed at a clinic in Stourbridge, West Midlands, and has been working as an osteopath for 40 years. In March 2022, he was visited by a new client, referred to only as Patient A, for treatment of her lower back pain. 'During the first appointment on March 9, 2022, Mr Rees made a comment about Patient A, referring to her as 'Nora Batty', which was a pejorative reference to a fictional character from the TV series Last Of The Summer Wine and she felt he was not empathetic,' the panel said. Ms Batty, played by Kathy Staff on the world's longest-running sitcom, was famous for being the butt of many jokes and fighting off advances from Bill Owen's Compo Simmonite – often hitting him with her broom. Despite the remark, the woman gave Mr Rees the 'benefit of the doubt' and went back for a second appointment because she felt 'locked up'. The osteopath mobilised and manipulated her spine which resulted in a loud crack and Patient A 'crying out in pain'. She told him it was painful but he did not do anything then or when she mentioned it again while paying. Three days later, an X-ray at the hospital showed her right clavicle had been fractured. At the hearing, Mr Rees admitted unacceptable professional conduct, including that he had referred to her as Nora Batty and performed the spinal manipulation which was not 'clinically justified'. The hearing was told that since the complaint the osteopath has undertaken 'bespoke training' with a doctor to improve his practice. The panel found Mr Rees's behaviour was a 'serious departure' from the standards required, adding: 'The findings demonstrated [Mr Rees] had ignored or disregarded complaints of pain and had provided inappropriate treatment that resulted in harm to her.' However, it also concluded that this was single case in a long career and an admonishment was a sufficient sanction.
The Sun
6 minutes ago
- The Sun
Love Island feud ERUPTS as two Islanders storm off from each other after bitter clash
fiery row Fans were quick to call out Blu online A BRAND new Love Island feud has sensationally erupted between two unlikely Islanders. In explosive scenes screened on the ITV2 show tonight, Toni was seen clashing with returning Islander, Blu. 4 4 4 As the Grafties took hold, Blu could be seen doing his best to meddle in the drama of his co-stars. One such moment saw him call out Toni in front of the entire group in a bid to question her on her actions which left her villa partner Cach in tears. As Cach won the award for most emotional moment after being left in tears over Toni's decision to re-couple with Harrison, Blu was quick to ask Toni about "how she felt" over the clip. Toni made it clear how everyone, including Cach, knew that she felt guilty and sad over the situation but it had now been resolved. She fired back at Blu for his questioning of her in front of the group. Later, the pair had a fiery argument in which they argued over the moment. Toni was left asking Blu why he asked how she felt when he already knew given that he watched it at home as a result of him being dumped from the Island. Blu stuttered as he attempted to get Toni to listen to his point before she told him she "didn't care" about the conversation and how he knew exactly what he was doing. As they continued to argue in circles, Toni stood up and walked away before Blu also got up and stormed off. He then branded Toni a "weirdo" in a harsh comment before going to fill his co-stars in on their frosty interaction. He then mimicked her American accent in another bizarre moment. Commenting on the fiery row online, one viewer of the show said: "Blu pulled Toni for some airtime and left HEATED, while Toni left confused & not giving a single F." Before someone else commented: "Blu's angry because Toni's not giving him the argument he wanted, he wants to create drama to stay in the villa." As a third went on to write: "Blu crashing out and Toni sitting there composed like the queen she is. What a loser! Very strange creature." 4
