Bruno Tonioli set to join BGT despite ITV bosses wanting Alan Carr for the role

21 January 2023 , 00:56

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Bruno Tonioli set to join BGT despite ITV bosses wanting Alan Carr for the role

Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli is set to join the Britain’s Got Talent panel as David Walliams ’ replacement, a move that has been secured by Simon Cowell.

ITV bosses reportedly initially had comedian Alan Carr down as their first choice for the show, however they were overruled when Simon had the final say on his close friend Bruno joining the panel.

The show’s other judges, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden, were notified of Bruno joining the show in the last couple of days.

The job has been formally offered to Bruno, but he is yet to sign a contract.

Bruno Tonioli has been formally offered the role (BBC)

There are terms still in discussion, including money, but the former dancer is thought to be in attendance at the London Palladium auditions on Tuesday, with the rest of the judging panel.

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Alan Carr, 46, is reported to be “devastated” upon not getting the gig, with his close friends saying he was told that he would be joining the show by those close to it.

One told the Daily Mail: “He is trying to keep his head up, he thought that he had it. It is really disappointing for him. BGT have really missed a trick, especially with the on-screen chemistry between him and Amanda.”

Simon Cowell had the final say on the decision (PA)

A source close to the show reported: “It is one the most peculiar events in showbusiness in recent years. Alan was told that he had the job and then all of sudden Bruno’s name popped up. It is so bizarre.

“Some ITV bosses are cross at the decision, their preference was Alan as did most involved in the show who were really over the moon at the prospect of having join them for series.

“They all wanted him but Cowell was against it, he wanted his friend. Tonioli joining BGT means that there now two former Strictly judges on the panel - something ITV bosses are understood to have been against.”

The other former Strictly judge on the BGT panel is Alesha Dixon, who moved from the dancing competition to Cowell’s reality series in 2012.

Bruno will replace David Walliams after he stepped down from the role (ITV)

Alan was so confident that the job was his, he was allegedly changing the dates of his Ru Paul’s Drag Race filming commitments, in order to attend the BGT auditions.

He even started making arrangements for clothing he would wear while on the show - until he saw reports that Bruno was also in line for the job.

Sophie Goodall