Bruno on BGT: I’m buzzing... but nervous
New judge makes explosive show debut
I was exploding, you’ve started with a triumph bruno tonioli to his golden buzzer act
Bruno Tonioli looked in sparkling form at his first Britain’s Got Talent audition where he shook up the show with extreme reactions.
The new judge, 67, who spent 16 years on Strictly Come Dancing, made a grand entrance in a vibrant jacket to Rocky tune Eye of the Tiger.
As he arrived at the London Palladium with fellow judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, Bruno declared: “Here we are, Britain’s Got Talent.
“I am so excited. It’s my first show, I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I’m sure it’s going to be brilliant.”
Host Declan Donnelly told the audience: “We’re so excited to be back.”
Bruno replaces comic David Walliams in the upcoming series, who quit after apologising for scathing remarks he made about contestants.
Bruno, who has switched from the BBC to ITV, told the excited crowd he was thrilled.
He said of Amanda and Alesha: “Look at these girls, they’re stunning. And my old friend Simon, what an honour it is to work with you, finally.”
He added: “He’s teased me with this for years and years, I tell you. I’m very emotional and I’m very, very nervous.” In a bid to ease him in, Alesha urged him to practise pushing the buzzer which he did, laughing: “Oh, that was easy! I love that!” And once the 16th series was under way, Bruno could barely keep his hands off the red button. He hit it for the first act he saw, which had a Star Wars theme, telling the performer: “That was torture. I’m bewildered, the Force is definitely not with you.” Later his emotions ran in the other direction as he watched a dance act featuring kids and became the first judge to hit the golden buzzer. After leaping up to dance along with them, he raved: “I was literally exploding, you’ve started this show with a triumph.” As Bruno had pressed the golden buzzer before they had even finished dancing, Cowell, 63, laughed: “You’ve made BGT history.” The show is due to air in its traditional Saturday night slot on ITV in April, finishing with the week of live finals in May. As before, the prize is £250,000 and the winner will have a chance to take the stage at the Royal Variety Performance.