Strictly’s choreographer slams judge Bruno Tonioli and says he ‘won’t be missed’ after he leaves the show for US version
STRICTLY choreographer Iain Waite said judge Bruno Tonioli "won't be missed" after he left the show for the US version.
Bruno, 64, decided to ditch Strictly this year for the American show – which pays more money – after coronavirus scuppered his plans to travel back and forth each week between the USA and UK for work.
The Italian dancer was due to return to the panel with co-judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas later this year, but has said he will only do the US show amid the ongoing virus travel ban.
And it appears his decision has ruffled a few feathers behind the scenes on the BBC dance competition.
"Do you want the honest truth? I love Bruno for the entertainment value, but nothing else," Strictly pro Iain Waite sniped during a chat with FUBAR Radio's
Twisting the knife in, the show choreographer said Bruno fails to give any useful feedback to the celebrity contestants during the live shows.
He blasted Bruno for hogging the camera, saying: "He doesn’t really say anything technical. He's not really the technician of the panel.
"It's like, how many arms can I flail around and how expressive can I be?"
Ian said he isn't afraid of calling out his Strictly colleagues and has been confronted for doing so before on Strictly: It Takes Two.
He added: "There are some pros who don't like you saying anything against them, but they can stuff it."
He refused to name names but added: "Most of them are gone now!"
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Meanwhile, The Sun revealed Strictly bosses are to snub Cheryl Tweedy as Bruno's coronavirus stand-in — and have just three judges.
Bruno had even given the singer his blessing to replace him if Covid-19 travel restrictions keep him out of the UK.
The source said: "They don’t want to go through a long process of replacing him when he could have done it anyway so it’s very doubtful Cheryl will be there, not as a judge anyway."