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Strictly Come Dancing's Shirley Ballas Casts Doubt On Bruno Tonioli's Involvement In New Series

The good news is that the Head Judge has promised "13 weeks of pure joy".
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Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

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UPDATE: Anton Du Beke Confirmed For Full-Time Strictly Come Dancing Judging Role This Year

Bruno Tonioli’s role on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing is still in doubt, according to fellow judge Shirley Ballas. 

Last year, Bruno was unable to sit on the panel of the BBC ballroom competition as he remained in America to judge the US version of the show.

In previous years, he has flown back and forth each week in order to appear on both shows at the same time. 

However, with restrictions on international travel still in place due to the pandemic, it’s still unclear if he will be able to be part of the upcoming series. 

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Bruno Tonioli
Eric McCandless via Getty Images

Speaking to GB News, Shirley said: “I do believe that Motsi [Mabuse] is back, Bruno they are still deciding depending on the rules flying in and flying out. I know Bruno, if he can make it he will.”

It was previously claimed Strictly bosses were working hard to reunite Shirley, Bruno, Motsi and Craig Revel Horwood on this year’s series after Motsi’s role was also placed in doubt when she signed up for a German tour that clashed with the show. 

However, reports have since claimed Motsi has pulled out of the tour and will take up her seat on the panel for a third year. 

Last year, she was temporarily replaced by professional dancer Anton Du Beke for two weeks when she was forced to isolate after an emergency trip to Germany. 

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Bruno last appeared alongside Criag, Motsi and Shirley in 2019
Karwai Tang via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Shirley also teased that the new series of Strictly should feel much more normal than 2020, when a number of limitations were put on the show due to the pandemic.

“Be prepared for 13 weeks of pure joy. There will be some tweaks here and there and the line up sounds like it’s going to be absolutely off the chart,” she said.

“Just when you think it couldn’t get any better it does and Sarah our exec just goes for it and she just finds all sorts of different things that are going to entertain the people in the autumn-winter months so we are very, very excited.”

Strictly Come Dancing is due to return to BBC One in the autumn.

'Strictly Come Dancing': All The Winners
Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole(01 of16)
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Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky was the first star to ever triumph in the inaugural series of 'Strictly Come Dancing', back in 2004, when there were just seven competitors to beat.Having obviously been a hit with 'Strictly' viewers, she was later chosen to cover for regular presenter Tess Daly, when she went on maternity leave. (credit:BBC)
Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennet(02 of16)
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Clearly sensing they were onto a winner, the BBC decided to kick-start the second series of 'Strictly' just three months after Natasha Kaplinsky's victory, securing its spot in the Saturday night schedule in the latter half of the year.Jill Halfpenny was crowned winner second time around, along with her partner, Darren Bennet. (credit:PA/PA Archive)
Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova(03 of16)
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Darren became the first male celebrity to triumph in the 'Strictly Come Dancing' final in 2005, beating Colin Jackson and eventual 'It Takes Two' presenter Zoe Ball in the process. (credit:Michael Boyd/PA Archive)
Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy(04 of16)
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Cricket player Mark Ramprakash took home the glitter-ball trophy a year later.Here he is performing with his professional partner, Karen Hardy, at the BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Awards a year after his victory. (credit:David Davies/PA Archive)
Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler(05 of16)
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'Strictly' helped breathe new life into Alesha's career, when she and partner Matthew Cutler were crowned winners.Her smash hit solo single 'The Boy Does Nothing' followed soon after, not to mention a spot on the 'Strictly' judging panel... until Simon Cowell decided to snare her for 'BGT', that is. (credit:BBC)
Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup(06 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Tom Chambers' public profile skyrocketed, when he and his professional partner, Camilla Dallerup, were crowned winners of the sixth series.They beat TV presenter Lisa Snowdon and 'Negotiate With Love' singer Rachel Stevens in the live final, back in 2008. (credit:Mark Cuthbert via Getty Images)
Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan(07 of16)
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Chris Hollins gave professional dancer Ola Jordan her first, and so far only, win back in 2010. (credit:BBC)
Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev(08 of16)
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Kara and Artem had a double victory in 2010.Shortly after taking home the glitter-ball trophy, they announced that they were dating. (credit:Rowan Miles/PA Archive)
Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani(09 of16)
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Can we please just take a moment to appreciate this photo? (credit:David Jones/PA Archive)
Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace(10 of16)
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The tenth series was won by Olympian Louis Smith and his professional partner, Flavia Cacace. (credit:Georgie Gillard/Associated Newspapers/REX)
Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec(11 of16)
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In the first ever all-female 'Strictly' final, Abbey beat Susanna Reid and Natalie Gumede to the glitter-ball trophy.Fourth place was also a female contestant, with Sophie Ellis-Bextor leaving the competition at the semi-final stage. (credit:Rui Vieira/PA Archive)
Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev(12 of16)
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Caroline Flack, who took part in the competition less than a year after leaving 'X Factor' spin-off show, 'Xtra Factor'. Apparently sensing her popularity was on the rise, Simon Cowell quickly signed her up to host the main show, alongside Olly Murs. (credit:BBC)
Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani(13 of16)
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When the 2015 contestants were first announced, no one would have tipped Jay for victory, particularly after he continuously played down his dancing abilities.

Cut to a couple of months later, though, and that Glitter-ball trophy was his. (credit:Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton(14 of16)
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TV presenter Ore Oduba beat off stiff competition from 'Hollyoaks' star Danny Mac who was hot favourite to lift the glitterball trophy in 2016. (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Joe McFadden and Katya Jones(15 of16)
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'Holby City' actor Joe was the dark horse of the competition, rising through the ranks as the weeks went on to triumph over Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson in the 2017 final. (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton(16 of16)
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Stacey and Kevin were the surprise winners of the 2018 series, triumphing over other finalists Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg. The pair later went on to begin a relationship. (credit:Aaron Chown - PA Images via Getty Images)
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