‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Judge Bruno Tonioli Admits He’s Never Watched The Show (And Reveals The Surprising Reason Why)

Bruno Tonioli has admitted he has never watched a single episode of ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.

The 62-year-old has been a judge on the BBC One dance show since it began in 2004, and is known for his flamboyant feedback that usually involves flailing arms, falling off his chair and head judge Shirley Ballas ducking for cover.

But Bruno told Radio Times he doesn’t like watching himself on screen because he doesn’t want to become “self-conscious”.

“I’ve been doing it for 14 years and I never watched a single show because I don’t want to become self-conscious,” he told the magazine.

“But we recently made a DVD of all the best dances from Blackpool – that was the first time I watched something back.”

Bruno, who is also a judge on ‘Dancing With The Stars’ in the US, also revealed that when he’s filming both shows his social life goes out of the window.

“I don’t go out for two months,” he said.

“I stay home in the evenings, I go to the gym and stay fit. It’s like being a nun.

“By the end I’m exhausted. Never mind Lady Gaga, it’s Bruno Gaga. But I’m very lucky and I will do it for as long as I can and as long as they want me.”

As for ‘Strictly’ gossip, Bruno says he doesn’t get involved with the off-screen shenanigans because “there’s no time!”

He added: “We’re doing a job. We’re not just sitting around having a cup of tea, you know! It’s not a holiday.”

Earlier this month, Craig Revel Horwood suggested Bruno’s antics on ‘Strictly’ were a deliberate attempt to draw attention from him.

Talking about the moment Bruno fell off his chair during one of the live shows, Craig insisted: “I think he did it on purpose to try and upstage me. Every time I open my mouth, if I take a breath something happens.”

Read the full interview with Bruno in this week’s Radio Times, out now. www.radiotimes.com