As the new series of Britain’s Got Talent hits our screens, the judges give us all the gossip – and reveal the rules have gone out of the window
WORDS: LAUREN MORRIS PHOTOS: CAMERA PRESS/NICKY JOHNSTON, JAMES RUDLAND, REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
HIDDEN TALENT
BRUNO TONIOLI
We know Bruno Tonioli as one of TV’s biggest personalities, whether it’s for jumping up from the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel to give flamboyant feedback, or fiercely grabbing the Golden Buzzer on Britain’s Got Talent. The Italian powerhouse is entering his second series of the ITV talent show and, while it’s hard to imagine Bruno, 68, would ever feel nervous on screen, he admits he’s come a long way since his BGT debut.
“I’ve done a massive show before, but there’s a lot to live up to when you’re the new kid on the block,” he says. “You can’t take anything for granted.”
ITV announced last year that Bruno – who left Strictly in 2019 to focus on filming the US version of the show, Dancing With The Stars – would be joining the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel. Not only would Bruno be replacing established judge David Walliams, but his new boss would be his long-time pal, Simon Cowell.
“Simon is a friend, so there’s the added pressure of not letting people down. When you’re filming, you’re on the spot – but it worked very well and we had a great time.”
After a triumphant first series alongside Simon and fellow judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, Bruno is ready for another series – although he admits he’s never watched a single episode of the show.
“I think every show is a new beginning – I’d never watched it. I’d never seen Strictly either,” he laughs.
“I never watch anything I’m in because I don’t want to be affected by it. When I’m filming, I can feel whether something works or not. It’s like when you meet your first love. I want to keep that moment going.”
To keep his performance fresh, Bruno says it’s about “being in the moment” and shutting out negativity. “It’s not having anything else in your mind – how you look, what people think, what they say. You have to eliminate all that and be there with the audience. I love it.”
Last year’s series saw Bruno cause chaos when he kept hitting the Golden Buzzer, which automatically puts auditioning acts through to the semi-finals. This year,
