'He's not bothered so why am I?' Ex Strictly judge Arlene Phillips on Bruno Tonioli's exit

express.co.uk:

Strictly Come Dancing panel alongside Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli. As the dancer discussed her partnership with Wiltshire Farm Foods, Express.co.uk asked Arlene how she felt when the news broke of Bruno's departure from the show, with Anton Du Beke taking his position full-time.Anton took a permanent role on the judging panel this year alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.This comes after he covered for Bruno Tonioli last year when he took a break from the show due to travel limitations as he continued to judge on the US series, Dancing With the Stars.Express.co.uk asked Arlene if she was sad to see Bruno leave the show as he started on Strictly with her.She replied: "Was it sad Bruno was leaving?

I don't think so. Bruno leaving was sad but I don't think he was sad."I think that travelling every week is a lot and I think there's a time where it gets too much, especially travelling with that uncertainty in the pandemic."But he wasn't sad, I actually saw him a couple of times after and he was fine so if he was fine, why would I be bothered?"The Italian has not been on the BBC panel in person for two years because of Covid travel restrictions.Speaking about his exit, he said that during the pandemic, doing both dance shows was "impossible because the rules changed, getting through the airport was not like it used to be, it created a situation that was unsustainable".Explaining his current situation, he said on The One Show: "Unfortunately Dancing with the Stars has moved to Disney+, which is a big deal.

Because of the travel situation, I will be there."Bruno appeared via video link during the 2020 series of Strictly, while Du Beke took his place last year.Tonioli's permanent.