Bruno Tonioli, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon
TV

Bruno Tonioli on rumours of fallout with BGT co-stars Amanda and Alesha

At the time, Bruno shut down rumours..

| Updated:

Bruno Tonioli once set the record straight about a so-called “feud” with Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon on BGT.

The 68-year-old Strictly alum, who replaced David Walliams on the show, made his BGT judging debut in 2023.

However, at the time, reports suggested that OG judges Amanda and Alesha were livid that Bruno had joined the panel.

Bruno Tonioli on BGT with fellow judges and presenters
Bruno has replaced David Walliams on BGT (Credit: ITV)

BGT Amanda and Alesha ‘fuming’ over Bruno Tonioli

Last year, reports claimed that Amanda and Alesha were fuming that Bruno would be earning more than their £850k salaries.

Apparently, the two even made a pact to quit the show – hours before filming started for the series.

A source told The Sun: “Alesha and Amanda were deeply upset, understandably, by reports that Bruno was being signed up for more money than them.

“Between them, they have almost three decades of experience, and are the very backbone of BGT.”

Then, to make things even more awkward, during the first lot of auditions at the time, things became a little heated on the judging panel.

Amanda Holden on BGT
Amanda and Alesha were apparently not too happy with Bruno (Credit: ITV)

Bruno Tonioli ‘told to rein it in’ by fellow BGT judges

The Sun reports that Alesha repeatedly told Bruno to sit back down, and then reportedly pushed him back into his seat.

As Strictly fans will know, Bruno often gets out of his seat when delivering feedback.

According to the publication, Alesha and Amanda Holden told him off for being too harsh on contestants and for hitting his golden buzzer before an act had finished.

The Sun claimed that they told Bruno his comment that a choir “didn’t blend well” was unfair.

Bruno reportedly told the audience at the London Palladium that he had “so much fun” but was “told off.”

Bruno Tonioli during the Strictly Christmas special
Bruno Tonioli set the record straight (Credit: BBC iPlayer)

BGT Bruno talks Amanda and Alesha ‘feud’

However, at the time, Bruno hit out at the claims of a feud.  Speaking to The Sun, he said their relationship is “great”.

When asked about the apparent pay fall-out between him, Amanda and Alesha, Bruno said: “It is very vulgar to talk about money. But I am definitely not getting what has been claimed.

“I don’t know what the girls are getting. But if they are getting more now then good for them, they deserve everything.

“There is no frostiness with the girls, of course not. Who is frosty? We have been having a laugh. This is working with a group of mates.”

Read more: BGT 2024 hits back at ‘fakery’ claims as show accused of ‘creating acts out of thin air’: ‘The public will feel the wool is being pulled’

YouTube video player

You can leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know your thoughts.


Joey Crutchley
Freelance Writer