Bruno Tonioli
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Bruno Tonioli (born November 25, 1955) is an Italian-born British dancer and professional choreographer. He was born and raised in Ferrara, Italy.[1]
He is best-known as a judge on both the British television series Strictly Come Dancing and its American adaptation, Dancing with the Stars. He is well known for a cry of "TEN!" followed by a punch of his left arm up and out when he gives a couple an aforementioned 10/10 for their dance.
In the late seventies and early eighties he was a leading dance teacher at London's acclaimed Dance Centre, with a huge following. He also appeared in Elton John's "I'm Still Standing" video. In 1980, he participated in A Song for Europe, the UK heat of the Eurovision Song Contest choreographing Duke & the Aces. The song, "Love is Alive", finished seventh.
He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian.[2]
Bruno judged the BBC talent show DanceX. He starred on the ABC show Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann, which premiered in January 2008 and ended in February 2008. His team, despite losing the first 2 elimination weeks, went on to win the show in the end, earning a contract with Hollywood Records.
He is openly gay and has been with his partner Paul for over twenty years[1], a fact he tends to play up in his public image.
Tonioli had a cameo role in the 2003 French & Saunders Christmas Special, where he played an extra in the infamous Madonna and Britney Spears' "Against the Music" sketch.
Tonioli also appeared as a guest judge on the Australian edition of Dancing With The Stars. He appeared only in the 2007 Seasons' Premiere Episode.
[edit] References
- ^ a b Robertson, Peter (2005 November 26), “I Was the Only Gay in My Village .. Humour Helped Me to Beat the Bullies”, The Daily Mirror, <http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16415592&method=full&siteid=94762&headline=i-was-the-only-gay-in-my-village----humour-helped-me-to-beat-the-bullies--name_page.html>. Retrieved on 2007-10-18
- ^ “Bruno Tonioli”, TV.com, <http://www.tv.com/bruno-tonioli/person/87811/biography.html>. Retrieved on 2007-10-18
[edit] External links
- Judges' biography at BBC Strictly Come Dancing site
- Biography at ABC Dancing with the Stars site
- Biography at TV.com
- Bruno Tonioli at the Internet Movie Database
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