Bruno Tonioli officially confirmed as new Britain’s Got Talent judge replacing David Walliams-Cydney Yeates-Entertainment – Metro

Bruno has officially joined the BGT judging panel (Picture: ITV)

It’s finally been confirmed that Bruno Tonioli has joined the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel after weeks of speculation, with David Walliams officially stepping down from the ITV show.

The big reveal was made during the taping of the first audition show, when Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly welcomed the newcomer into the auditorium with his fellow judges.

The former Strictly Come Dancing judge, 67, has now joined returning stars Simon Cowell, Alesha Dixon, and Amanda Holden for the upcoming series.

Bruno was initially linked to the competition series earlier this month, when it was rumoured that bosses had lined up both him and comedian Alan Carr, 46, for the role.

Rumours had started swirling that the professional dancer had landed the gig after reports Walliams was leaving the show after 10 years.

Walliams’ departure from Britain’s Got Talent came after he made a public apology in November for making ‘disrespectful comments’ about contestants during breaks in filming the show.

David Walliams has quit the BGT panel after 10 years (Picture: ITV)

At the time, he issued a statement that: ‘These were private conversations and – like most conversations with friends – were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry.’

Socialite Lizzy Cundy confirmed Bruno’s new job on Instagram before the news officially broke.

Taking to the photo-sharing platform to celebrate her friend, she posted: ‘Good luck today to my dearest friend @brunotonioliofficial. From one big tv show to another .. he will certainly bring the fun factor! So proud of you my friend.’ (sic)

Last week, Strictly’s Craig Revel Horwood revealed that Britain’s Got Talent bosses were keeping Bruno’s replacement news under wraps.

Joining Tuesday’s Good Morning Britain, he was asked by presenter Susanna Reid if he could confirm or deny reports that his former co-star had joined the adored competition series.

‘I would love to say he is, but I believe he is up against Alan Carr as well,’ he said.

‘I think they’re juggling and they [bosses] are going to save it as a surprise, so I in fact don’t know.’

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Craig continued: ‘Bruno is very secretive with me, darling, he will never be honest with me or tell me the truth, so I really don’t know, but I’d love to see Bruno back on our screens and I think it’s a great position to have, so I wish him all the very best if he is in the running for it.’

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