Bruno Tonioli

Bruno Tonioli (born November 25, 1955) is an Italian-British television personality, choreographer, and dancer. He is widely celebrated for his dynamic commentary and exuberant presence on reality television competitions. Tonioli achieved international prominence as a long-standing judge on the BBC flagship program Strictly Come Dancing and ABC's Dancing with the Stars, while later joining the judging panel for ITV's Britain's Got Talent.

Early Life and Choreography Career

Born in Ferrara, Italy, Tonioli developed a passion for dance from an early age. He moved to Paris in his late teens and eventually settled in London to pursue a professional career in performance. During the late 1970s and 1980s, he performed with various dance troupes before establishing himself as a sought-after commercial choreographer. Tonioli crafted routines for music videos, television shows, and global concert tours for high-profile music artists, including Elton John, Tina Turner, Freddie Mercury, Sting, and Duran Duran. He also contributed choreography to feature films such as Ella Enchanted, What a Girl Wants, and Enigma.

Television Stardom and Judging

Tonioli achieved widespread fame in 2004 when he was appointed as one of the original judges on the British ballroom dancing competition Strictly Come Dancing. His dramatic physical reactions and enthusiastic critiques quickly established him as a television favorite. In 2005, he joined the panel of the American counterpart, Dancing with the Stars, co-judging alongside Carrie Ann Inaba and Len Goodman. For over fifteen years, he commuted between London and Los Angeles to judge both series simultaneously. In 2023, Tonioli joined the judging panel of Britain's Got Talent, bringing his signature enthusiasm to the long-running ITV talent show.

Personal Life and Other Endeavors

Beyond his prominent judging roles, Tonioli has hosted specialized programs, including the BBC Two documentary West Side Stories – The Making of a Classic and the BBC Radio 2 show Bruno Tonioli at the Opera. He is fluent in five languages, including Italian, English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. Tonioli has been in a committed relationship with model Jason Schanne since 2010, and the couple held a commitment ceremony in 2012. He divides his time primarily between London, United Kingdom, and Los Angeles, California.