Bruno Tonioli: Why He Left BGT and Strictly

Few TV judges have brought as much exuberance to the panel as Bruno Tonioli. But behind the flamboyant gestures and Italian-accented enthusiasm, a pattern has emerged: in just five years, he walked away from two of the UK’s biggest talent shows. He left Strictly Come Dancing in 2019 after 16 years and ended his run on Britain’s Got Talent in 2024 after only two seasons. This article unpacks the reasons behind those departures, his personal life, and what he’s worth.

Age: 68 (born 25 November 1955) ·
Net worth: Estimated $16 million ·
Partner: Jason Schanne (since 2009) ·
Years on Strictly Come Dancing: 2004–2019 ·
Years on Britain’s Got Talent: 2023–2024 ·
Years on Dancing with the Stars: 2005–present

Seven key facts about Bruno Tonioli, one pattern: his career has been a transatlantic balancing act.

Why did Bruno Tonioli quit Britain’s Got Talent after two years as judge?

Reports in July 2025 indicated that Tonioli would step down from Britain’s Got Talent because of filming commitments (GB News). The show later confirmed on social media that he was stepping down after three series” (the reference to three series is a discrepancy; earlier reports say two seasons) “due to filming commitments” (Britain’s Got Talent Facebook).

Why was Bruno axed from BGT?

• Simon Cowell stated that the departure was amicable and related to his US commitments (Metro).
• Tonioli missed the launch of BGT’s 18th series because of his role on Dancing with the Stars in the US (Yahoo News UK).
• He was not axed; he chose not to return, according to multiple sources (TV Insider).

The pattern: Tonioli’s loyalty to the US franchise, where he has been a judge since 2005, repeatedly clashed with UK commitments. The implication: for any UK network hoping to lock him into a multi-year deal, the transatlantic commute is a deal-breaker.

Why did Bruno Tonioli leave Strictly Come Dancing?

Tonioli was a founding judge on Strictly Come Dancing when it launched in 2004 (BBC News). In 2019, he announced he would step back from the UK version to focus on his role on Dancing with the Stars (BBC News). He cited the difficulty of commuting between the US and UK. In a 2019 interview with The Guardian, he said: “I couldn’t keep flying back and forth. It was exhausting.” (The Guardian)

Motsi Mabuse replaced him on the panel. The show’s official BBC statement confirmed that Tonioli’s departure was “to concentrate on his US commitments” (BBC News).

The trade-off: Strictly lost its most flamboyant judge, but Tonioli gained the stability of a fixed US role. For viewers, the departure marked the end of an era.

Did Bruno Tonioli get married?

Bruno Tonioli is not married. He has been in a relationship with Jason Schanne since 2009 (Mirror).

What is the age difference between Bruno Tonioli and his partner?

• Tonioli was born in 1955; Schanne was born in 1983 (HELLO! Magazine).
• The age gap is approximately 28 years.
• They split their time between London and Los Angeles (Mirror).

The catch: while Tonioli keeps his personal life relatively private, the relationship with Schanne, a former model, has been a stable fixture in his life for over a decade. For fans curious about his family, there are no children.

How rich is Bruno Tonioli?

Net worth estimates vary. The Sun places his fortune at around £8 million (The Sun), a figure echoed by the Mirror (Mirror). Other sources, including HELLO! Magazine, report a net worth of around $16 million (HELLO! Magazine). His income sources include:

• £200,000–£249,000 per year on Strictly (BBC salary disclosure, HELLO! Magazine)
• Reportedly $30,000 per episode on Dancing with the Stars (HELLO! Magazine)
• £800,000 per series on Britain’s Got Talent (The Sun)
• Properties in London and Los Angeles (Mirror)

The paradox: despite earning high per-episode fees, Tonioli’s net worth remains modest compared to some US judges like Simon Cowell. His wealth is a product of steady work, not blockbuster deals.

Are Simon Cowell and Bruno Tonioli friends?

Simon Cowell and Bruno Tonioli have a friendly relationship. Cowell has praised Bruno’s energy and professionalism. Speaking to The Sun about Tonioli’s BGT exit, Cowell said: “Bruno is a great guy, but his schedule just didn’t work out. It was a mutual decision.” (The Sun)

They worked together on BGT and have known each other for years. The friendship is professional but cordial, with no public feuds.

Why this matters: Cowell’s public support likely helped smooth Tonioli’s exit from BGT, preventing a PR mess. For viewers, it reinforces that the departure was amicable.

For UK television networks, the choice is clear: either accommodate Bruno Tonioli’s US schedule, or lose him to the Atlantic. With Dancing with the Stars still running strong, it’s unlikely he’ll return to a UK panel full-time anytime soon.