Bruno Tonioli has reportedly informed Strictly Come Dancing producers that he will not return to the judging panel full time this year.
The 65-year-old has been part of the show since it launched in 2004 but was unable to take his place on the panel last series, with coronavirus keeping him in Los Angeles, where he works on Dancing With The Stars.
Usually Tonioli jets back and forth across the Atlantic every week during the Autumn to appear on both Strictly and DWTS, but travel restrictions meant that he chose to focus on the latter in 2020.
Instead he was limited to just a few minutes of screen time every week during the results show, and according to The Sun, he is hoping to strike a similar arrangement again this year.
"Bruno can't commit to both shows right now and is staying put in LA - it's a better lifestyle there, with great weather, which is good for his health," a source told the newspaper.
"He earns close to £1 million a series in America, so he has to prioritise that.
"Of course, he's still very much part of the Strictly family and is keen to appear on a video link several times through the series."
The news could pave the way for Anton Du Beke to take up a permanent judging role on the show, although the newspaper claims that producers are "unlikely" to offer him a position.
Strictly is expected to return to BBC One in September.
Neil Wilkes
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