BRUNO Tonioli has quit Strictly Come Dancing, according to reports.
The Italian panellist, 66, has been part of the show for 18 years but will now focus on Dancing With The Stars in the US.
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A source told the Mail: “Bruno has quit the show for good.
“He’s going to be a judge only on Dancing With The Stars from now on.”
The coronavirus pandemic prevented Bruno from appearing in the Strictly studio for the past two series.
Last year Anton Du Beke replaced him to judge alongside Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse after Covid travel rules prevented Bruno from flitting between the US and UK.
The year before, he made appearances via videolink from his home in the States.
Bruno has been a judge on Dancing With The Stars since the show’s inception in 2005, and prior to the pandemic successfully balanced both dance programmes.
While his Strictly replacement is yet to be made official, Anton, 55, is the overwhelming favourite among fans.
He recently spoke about his changing role on the show during his An Audience With…tour in Dunstable.
He said: “In the early days I would be down the front. It would be nice.
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“We had things called things called grids where people were in position on the floor and then suddenly you would go back another line.
“Then they started putting you in the corners and then the tattoos started arriving and everyone with tattoos was down the front wearing a vest.
“It got to the point where I was back here. I was so far back at the end I was chatting with Lance in the orchestra.
“I did not mind not doing the group dances in the end.”
Bruno’s departure is the latest show shake-up after pros Aljaz Skornajec and Oti Mabuse announced they were leaving.
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