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Bruno Tonioli To Miss Next Week's Strictly Come Dancing Live Show

Bruno also appears as a judge on the US' Dancing With The Stars during the week.
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Entertainment Editor

Bruno Tonioli is set to miss next week’s Strictly Come Dancing, a spokesperson for the show has confirmed.

The 63-year-old – who also appears a judge on the US version of Strictly during the week – will be replaced by Alfonso Ribeiro.

Although no reason has been given for Bruno’s absence, The Sun has said he has “work commitments” in America.

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Bruno Tonioli
SIPA USA/PA Images

When Bruno is judging both Strictly and Dancing With The Stars, he flies back-and-fourth over the Atlantic each week, and had a week off Strictly last year to ease his work load. 

A description for next week’s live shows says: “Thirteen celebrity couples remain in the race to be crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion 2019.

“Each of them will take to the floor in a bid to impress the awesome foursome judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and returning guest judge Alfonso Ribeiro, in the studio, as well as viewers at home.”

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Alfonso Ribeiro will be replacing Bruno
Gregg DeGuire via Getty Images

Alfonso – best known for playing Carlton in the 90s sitcom The Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air – previously stood in for Bruno last year.

Alfonso also competed in the 19th series of Dancing With The Stars in the US, going on to win the whole series.

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The Strictly Come Dancing judges
BBC

Before all that, though, there’s the small matter of this week’s live show out of the way, which Bruno will be present for.

On Saturday night, Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe will perform a Charleston to Single Ladies, and it will be AJ Pritchard and Saffron Barker’s turn to deliver a Couple’s Choice routine.

Meanwhile, frontrunner Kelvin Fletcher will be dancing a Rumba to Ain’t No Sunshine, and we can all look forward to Mike Bushell’s Quickstep to *sigh* Come On Eileen by Dexy’s Midnight Runners.

See how the stars get on in this week’s Strictly live show, airing at on Saturday night 6.40pm on BBC One.

'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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