28 January 2023 , 08:00
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Bruno Tonioli has bragged Britain’s Got Talent is the biggest show in the UK “now that I’m here”.
The former Strictly Come Dancing judge said working on BGT was a 'completely different sort of judging' but his experience in the business means he 'knows what the job needs'.
The 67-year-old was confirmed as the ITV show’s new panellist on Tuesday after weeks of speculation, and joins Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden on this year's panel.
On Friday ahead of the first slew of BGT auditions Tonioli blew kisses to crowds as he arrived for filming.
Gushing about his move to ITV, the star said: “This is the biggest show on British TV, now that I’m here. I mean it. Simon is going to hate that I’ve said that but oh well.”
He went on: “I have nothing bad to say about Strictly, it changed my life. But this is completely different.
(Ian West/PA Wire)
(Dymond/Thames/REX/Shutterstock)
"It’s a completely different sort of judging. The range of this show, you see things that you have no idea are coming.
“I have been in showbiz for 50 years now and I’ve worked with everyone from Tina Turner and French and Saunders to Michael Caine, so I know when something works and I know why it works.
“I know what this job needs."
Tonioli was previously a fan favourite on Strictly Come Dancing after joining the BBC One programme during its debut series in 2004.
However in 2022 it was announced Tonioli would be leaving the celebrity dancing competition because his travel commitments had made it “impossible” to continue.
Bruno performed at the Strictly Christmas special in December (BBC/Guy Levy)
He has replaced comedian David Walliams, who joined the talent contest in 2012, on the BGT panel.
Last year comedian Walliams, 51, apologised for making “disrespectful comments” about auditioning contestants during breaks in filming the show in January 2020.
Now in its 16th series, Britain’s Got Talent will return to screens later this year as acts battle it out for the chance to scoop the £250,000 prize and perform at the Royal Variety Performance.
David Walliams reached out to Bruno after he took his old job (ITV)Bruno signed up to the latest series just 11 days before the auditions kicked off on Tuesday – as revealed by the Mirror – and says the first person to congratulate him was the man he replaced, comedy star David Walliams, 51.
David left BGT under a cloud after being caught making disparaging remarks about former contestants.
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Bruno said: "David sent me a text and a fantastic bottle of wine. He's a very good friend."
There were rumours Amanda and Alesha were not happy about Bruno's huge pay check (Getty Images)He added rumours there was a row over cash – with fellow judges Alesha Dixon, 44, and Amanda Holden, 51, reportedly furious he was being paid more than them – are "rubbish".
Bruno also scoffed at reports he is earning £850,000 for BGT.
Insiders yesterday claimed that, in fact, Amanda and Alesha are very happy with the deal they have, adding that Bruno earns "a bit less" than each of them.