- Bruno Tonioli
Bruno Tonioli (born
November 25 1955 ) is an Italian-born Britishdancer and professionalchoreographer . He was born and raised inFerrara ,Italy .citation |url=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 |date=2005 November 26 |accessdate=2007-10-18 |last=Robertson |first=Peter |title=I Was the Only Gay in My Village .. Humour Helped Me to Beat the Bullies |periodical=The Daily Mirror ]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. In1980 , he participated inA Song for Europe , the UK heat of theEurovision Song Contest choreographingDuke & the Aces . The song, "Love is Alive ", finished seventh.He is fluent in English, Spanish, French, German, and Italian.citation |url=http://www.tv.com/bruno-tonioli/person/87811/biography.html |title=Bruno Tonioli |accessdate=
2007-10-18 |periodical=TV.com ]Bruno judged the BBC talent show
DanceX . He starred on the ABC show , 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 withHollywood 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 andBritney Spears ' "Against the Music" sketch.Tonioli also appeared as a guest judge on the Australian edition of Dancing With The Stars. He appeared in the 2007 Seasons' Premiere Episode, and first two episodes of the 2008 season.
References
External links
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/about/judges.shtml Judges' biography at BBC Strictly Come Dancing site]
* [http://abc.go.com/primetime/dancing/bios/bruno_tonioli.html Biography at ABC Dancing with the Stars site]
* [http://www.tv.com/bruno-tonioli/person/87811/biography.html Biography at TV.com]
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