Bruno Tonioli is an Italian dancer, choreographer and television personality who built an international career long before becoming familiar to audiences as a dance-show judge. Born in Ferrara, Italy, in 1955, he moved into the world of professional dance and later worked across music, film, theatre and television. His career includes choreography connected with major performers such as Michael Jackson, Elton John, Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones. In recent years, he has remained a familiar face on American television while also becoming a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bruno Tonioli |
| Date of Birth | November 25, 1955 |
| Age | 70 years old (2026) |
| Birthplace | Ferrara, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Profession | Dancer, Choreographer, Television Personality |
| Known For | Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing With the Stars, Britain’s Got Talent |
| Strictly Debut | 2004 |
| Dancing With the Stars | Judge since 2005 |
| Britain’s Got Talent | Judge from 2023 to 2026 |
| Partner | Jason Schanne |
| Languages | Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese |
| Autobiography | Bruno: My Story |
| Current Role | Dancing With the Stars judge |
| Current Status | Active in television in 2026 |
Bruno Tonioli Age and Early Life
Bruno Tonioli was born on November 25, 1955, in Ferrara, a city in northern Italy. Growing up in Italy, he developed an early interest in dance and the performing arts, eventually choosing a career that would take him far beyond his birthplace. His path was not limited to one form of entertainment, as he later worked as a dancer, choreographer, presenter and television judge. By the time he became widely known on television, he had already spent decades working behind the scenes in the entertainment industry.
Tonioli eventually moved to Paris in pursuit of professional dance opportunities before establishing himself in London. He has lived in London since 1975, making the British capital an important part of both his personal and professional life. His move to Europe’s major entertainment centers helped him gain access to dance companies, theatre productions and music projects. That international experience later became one of the defining features of his career.
How Bruno Tonioli Started His Dance Career
Before television audiences knew Bruno Tonioli as a judge, he was a professional dancer. He became involved with the Paris-based dance company La Grande Eugène and later worked with the Lindsay Kemp Company. These experiences gave him the opportunity to perform professionally and develop a deeper understanding of movement, choreography and stage production. His career gradually moved beyond performing as he began taking on more creative responsibilities.
The transition from dancer to choreographer was an important turning point. Rather than remaining solely in front of an audience, Tonioli began creating and arranging movement for other performers and productions. His work eventually extended into music videos, concerts, films, theatre and television. This broad experience gave him the background that would later make his judging style so distinctive.
Bruno Tonioli’s Work With Major Music Stars
One of the most interesting parts of Bruno Tonioli’s career is his connection with major names in popular music. His professional credits include choreography and creative work associated with performers such as Michael Jackson, Elton John, Tina Turner, Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones. These projects placed him in some of the biggest areas of popular entertainment during the height of the music-video era. His work in this field helped establish his reputation before he became a household television personality.
Some of the music-related projects associated with Tonioli include:
- Michael Jackson’s “Give in to Me”
- Elton John’s “Please”
- Tina Turner’s “Steamy Windows”
- The Rolling Stones’ “One Hit”
- Paul McCartney’s “Hope of Deliverance”
- Sting’s “This Cowboy Song”
His work with major artists also explains why his career cannot simply be described as a television career. He had already developed extensive experience with performance, staging and choreography before joining major dance competitions. That background gave him a practical understanding of what performers were trying to achieve on stage.
Bruno Tonioli’s Film, Theatre and Television Work
Tonioli also worked beyond music and dance productions. His credits include work connected with films such as Ella Enchanted, What a Girl Wants, Enigma and Blow Dry. He has also been involved in theatre and other forms of live entertainment throughout his career. These projects allowed him to use his choreography skills in different settings rather than being restricted to music videos or dance performances.
His television work eventually became much more prominent. Tonioli has appeared in presenting and documentary projects, including Craig and Bruno’s Great British Drives and other entertainment programs. He also developed dance-focused television projects, including Dance X in Britain and Dance Wars: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann in the United States. This combination of performing, choreography and television production helped him develop into a recognizable entertainment figure.
Bruno Tonioli on Strictly Come Dancing
Bruno Tonioli became a judge on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, a role that significantly increased his visibility in Britain. His energetic reactions, expressive personality and detailed knowledge of dance quickly became part of the show’s identity. He judged contestants alongside other well-known figures from the dance world and became particularly recognizable for his enthusiastic approach to performances.
His time on Strictly lasted for many years and established him as one of the best-known dance judges on British television. However, the international demands of his career eventually made the role difficult to maintain. In 2022, Tonioli announced that he was leaving the show because the travel and filming schedule between Britain and the United States had become impractical.
Bruno Tonioli and Dancing With the Stars
While building his British television career, Tonioli was also a major figure on the American version of Dancing With the Stars. He joined the U.S. show in 2005 and became one of its long-standing judges. The program allowed him to reach an American audience while continuing the judging career he had developed in Britain.
Dancing With the Stars became particularly important after his departure from Strictly Come Dancing. Rather than stepping away from television, Tonioli concentrated more heavily on his American commitments. His continued presence on the U.S. show demonstrates that his career remained active even after leaving the British dance program.
In 2026, Bruno Tonioli is returning to Dancing With the Stars for its 35th season. The judging panel also includes Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough, with the new season scheduled to begin in September. This makes the American dance competition one of the most important parts of his current television career.
Why Did Bruno Tonioli Leave Strictly Come Dancing?
Bruno Tonioli’s departure from Strictly Come Dancing was largely connected to the practical difficulties of managing two major international television commitments. His work on Dancing With the Stars required him to spend considerable time in the United States, while Strictly was produced in Britain. The travel involved became increasingly difficult to manage alongside the filming schedules.
His departure therefore did not represent the end of his relationship with dance television. Instead, it marked a change in where he focused his time. Tonioli continued working on Dancing With the Stars and remained active in entertainment after leaving the British series.
Bruno Tonioli on Britain’s Got Talent
In 2023, Bruno Tonioli joined Britain’s Got Talent as a judge, replacing David Walliams. His arrival brought a different personality to the judging panel alongside Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon. Tonioli’s energetic reactions quickly became one of the noticeable features of his appearances on the program.
His time on Britain’s Got Talent lasted for three series. Unlike his departure from Strictly, however, the reason for leaving BGT in 2026 was linked to scheduling rather than a decision to retire from television. His continued commitment to Dancing With the Stars made it difficult to keep both international programs on his schedule.
Why Did Bruno Tonioli Leave Britain’s Got Talent?
In September 2026, ITV announced that Tonioli would step away from Britain’s Got Talent because of scheduling conflicts connected with his return to the United States for Dancing With the Stars. After three series on the British talent show, he said he had to walk away while expressing his appreciation for the experience. KSI was subsequently announced as a full-time judge for the show’s next series.
This is an important distinction when discussing Bruno Tonioli now. He has not retired from television and has not disappeared from the entertainment industry. His departure from BGT is better understood as a decision to focus on his American television commitments.
Bruno Tonioli’s Partner Jason Schanne
Bruno Tonioli has been in a long-term relationship with Jason Schanne since around 2010. Schanne has generally maintained a much lower public profile than Tonioli and has been described in entertainment coverage as a model. The couple has occasionally appeared together publicly, although they have largely kept their personal life away from the spotlight.
Tonioli and Schanne held a commitment ceremony in 2012, but this should not automatically be described as a legal marriage. Reports about the ceremony have often caused confusion because the word “married” is sometimes used loosely when discussing their relationship. The safer description is that they are longtime partners who held a commitment ceremony.
Bruno Tonioli’s Life Between London and Los Angeles
London has remained an important home for Tonioli since he moved there in the 1970s. His career, however, has also kept him closely connected to the United States, particularly because of Dancing With the Stars. He has maintained a property in Los Angeles, allowing him to divide his time between the two entertainment centers when professional commitments require it.
This London-Los Angeles lifestyle reflects the international nature of his career. His work has repeatedly required him to travel between countries rather than remain attached to a single television market. That international experience is also one reason he has been able to maintain such a long career in entertainment.
Bruno Tonioli’s Languages and Personal Interests
Another interesting fact about Tonioli is his ability to speak several languages. He is fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese. His multilingual background fits naturally with a career that has taken him from Italy to France, Britain and the United States.
Tonioli has also shown interests outside dance competitions. His career has included work connected with opera, theatre, documentaries and other entertainment projects. He released the opera-related DVD An Italian Romance and has also appeared in radio projects connected with the genre.
Bruno Tonioli’s Autobiography and Other Projects
Tonioli published his autobiography, Bruno: My Story, in 2012. The book gave readers an opportunity to learn more about his journey from Italy into the international entertainment business. It also offered a more personal perspective on the experiences behind his public career.
His interests have also extended into business. In 2012, he launched an Italian-inspired cookware range through QVC. While this was very different from his work as a dancer or television judge, it showed that his public career had expanded into other areas of entertainment and lifestyle.
What Is Bruno Tonioli Doing Now in 2026?
Bruno Tonioli remains active in television in 2026, with Dancing With the Stars continuing to be his main judging role. His return for Season 35 means audiences in the United States will continue to see him on the dance competition. At the same time, he has stepped away from Britain’s Got Talent after three series because of the clash between the two programs.
His current career is therefore a continuation rather than a retirement chapter. After more than four decades in entertainment, Tonioli is still working in a field that began with professional dance and developed into choreography, television and judging. His move away from BGT simply reflects the demands of maintaining his American television commitments.
Bruno Tonioli Net Worth
Bruno Tonioli’s exact net worth is not publicly confirmed through reliable financial records. His long career in television, choreography, film, theatre and other entertainment projects has clearly provided multiple sources of professional income. However, online estimates vary considerably and should not be treated as verified figures.
For an accurate biography, it is better to focus on his documented career rather than attach an unsupported number to his wealth. His decades of work with major television programs and international performers demonstrate the scale of his professional success without requiring an estimated net worth.
Quick Facts About Bruno Tonioli
- Full name: Bruno Tonioli
- Date of birth: November 25, 1955
- Birthplace: Ferrara, Italy
- Nationality: Italian
- Profession: Dancer, choreographer and television personality
- Known for: Strictly Come Dancing, Dancing With the Stars and Britain’s Got Talent
- Strictly judging debut: 2004
- Dancing With the Stars debut: 2005
- Britain’s Got Talent debut: 2023
- Languages: Italian, English, Spanish, French and Portuguese
- Long-term partner: Jason Schanne
- Autobiography: Bruno: My Story
- Current television role in 2026: Dancing With the Stars judge
Frequently Asked Questions About Bruno Tonioli
How old is Bruno Tonioli?
Bruno Tonioli was born on November 25, 1955, in Ferrara, Italy. He is 70 years old as of September 2026. He has remained professionally active throughout much of his adult life.
What is Bruno Tonioli famous for?
Bruno Tonioli is best known as a television dance judge, particularly for Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With the Stars. He also became a judge on Britain’s Got Talent in 2023. Before television fame, he worked extensively as a dancer and choreographer.
Is Bruno Tonioli married?
Bruno Tonioli has a long-term relationship with Jason Schanne, which began around 2010 according to widely reported accounts. The couple held a commitment ceremony in 2012. It is more accurate to describe them as longtime partners rather than claim that they have a legally confirmed marriage.
Why did Bruno Tonioli leave Britain’s Got Talent?
Tonioli left Britain’s Got Talent in 2026 because of scheduling conflicts with his return to Dancing With the Stars in the United States. He had served as a judge on BGT for three series. His departure does not mean that he has retired from television.
Is Bruno Tonioli still on Dancing With the Stars?
Yes. Bruno Tonioli is returning as a judge for Dancing With the Stars Season 35 in 2026. He continues to serve alongside Carrie Ann Inaba and Derek Hough, making the American dance competition a central part of his current career.
Conclusion
Bruno Tonioli’s career is much broader than his role as a television judge. From his early years as a professional dancer to his work with major music stars, films, theatre and international television programs, he has spent decades building a career around performance and choreography. His years on Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With the Stars made him a familiar face to millions of viewers, while his later role on Britain’s Got Talent introduced him to another generation of British audiences.
In 2026, Bruno Tonioli remains active rather than retired, returning to Dancing With the Stars while stepping away from Britain’s Got Talent because of scheduling demands. His long relationship with Jason Schanne also remains an important part of his personal story, although the couple generally keeps their private life away from public attention. With a career spanning dance, choreography, television and other entertainment projects, Tonioli remains one of the most recognizable Italian-born personalities in international television.