Bruno Tonioli (born November 25 1955) is an Italian-born British dancer and professional choreographer. He was born and raised in Ferrara, Italy.
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 choreographed and centre staged 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.
Bruno will judge the new 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 , 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.
