Bruno Tonioli has come out of lockdown grey, revealing he has stopped using hair dye after two decades.
The Strictly Come Dancing judge, 64, who confirmed last Friday he will resume his role on the upcoming series, said he feels ‘liberated’ with his new look.
Speaking to The Sun, Bruno insisted he has been getting many compliments on his new look, joking he is now the spitting image of George Clooney.
New look: Bruno Tonioli, 64, has come out of lockdown grey, revealing he has stopped using hair dye after two decades
He said: ‘Covid-19 has given me the opportunity to reinvent myself. I’ve been meaning to do this for years as I’m completely silver and dying it is so much hassle.
‘I couldn’t go to the hairdressers so I grew out the roots and I looked demented so then I shaved it off, grade one all over, which made me look even worse, like a murderer or a nasty guy off EastEnders.
‘But now it’s a little bit longer it looks nice and I’m keeping the grey. I feel liberated and I’ve had a lot of compliments. Myself and George Clooney are now practically twins.’
Due to Covid-19 travel restrictions, Bruno was worried he would not be able to take part in this year’s series of Strictly, which he has filmed simultaneously with the US version Dancing With The Stars for the last 14 years.
Lookalike: Bruno insisted he has been getting many compliments on his new look, joking he is now the spitting image of George Clooney (pictured in September 2017)
Bosses confirmed on Friday that the judge, 64, will make remote appearances from his home for the Sunday night results shows at the beginning of this series.
But fans need not fear as bosses vowed they hope to have Bruno back in the studio towards the end of the series, alongside judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.
Bruno explained that as he will not be in the studio, he won’t be giving scores on performances as that would be ‘unfair’.
He will instead be sent clips of the performances and then give his opinion and some tips, which will be shown later on the results show.
When asked if a guest judge will fill in for him in studio, Bruno said it is ‘not my call’ and pointed out that on Dancing With The Stars they only have three judges and it works fine.
Distanced: The judge will make remote appearances from his home for the Sunday night results shows at the beginning of this series, due to travel restrictions imposed by COVID-19
Bruno insisted that bosses have secured a good line-up for this year’s series and added that it will be all about the dancers this year as there won’t be the same big production behind them.
The dancer also added that there will be barely anyone in studio and the camera crew will keep a safe distance and no one will be wearing masks as they will be getting tested regularly.
This year’s Strictly is set to start in October instead of the usual start in early September and will be several weeks shorter than normal.
Earlier this month it was reported that show executives are ‘devising 100 different formats’ to align with current guidelines as filming prepares to take place in Elstree Studios for a start date of October 24.
The restrictions include putting a limit on the amount of people allowed on set, as well as excluding ‘chemistry circles’ in auditions, which sees contestants alternate in ‘sexy’ dances with professionals so producers can decide ‘who look good together’.
He’ll be back! Bosses also confirmed that they hope Bruno can return to the Strictly studio for the end of the series in December
A BBC source told The Sun: ‘Preparing for this year’s show is a huge headache. The goalposts keep moving, so the big decisions are being left to the last minute so we’re as up to date as possible.
‘But any concrete things we can decide on now, we are doing. Making one hit series is hard enough. As things stand, we are having to plan for hundreds. The slightest change to the rules could have a massive impact on how the show is filmed. Many [celebs] are weighing up their options, so Strictly still doesn’t have a full line-up.’
The insider claimed the competition will be held in a near-empty, no-audience studio with a scaled-back crew consisting of only 25 per cent of the usual team for the first time in the show’s 16-year history.
Another aspect of the series that is believed to have changed is the partnering process, which could be decided on height alone as opposed to the celebs performing salsa dances in a circle with all ballroom experts.
It’s also been reported that BBC bosses have scrapped plans for celebrities and professional dancers to isolate together.
Plans: Earlier this month it was reported that executives are ‘devising 100 different formats’ to align with guidelines as filming prepares to take place in Elstree for a start date of October 24
In a last minute change of plan, the couples will instead be in a ‘bubble’ system and there will be regular testing ahead of the live shows, The Sun reports.
However, the dancers are still said to be isolating together this month so that they can pre-record group routines.
A TV source told the publication: ‘The idea of holing sexy dancers up with celebrities made it impossible to sign anybody up.’
It comes after Strictly Come Dancing bosses denied celebrities such as Michelle Keegan and Jessie J declined to be on the show this year because of the ‘low’ £60,000 appearance fee.
Speaking exclusively to MailOnline on Wednesday, a Strictly source has contested reports that several celebrities had turned them down and said only those who have signed onto the show were offered a fee.
The source explained: ‘Everyone we have offered a fee to this year have been confirmed as part of the line up, so nobody has declined appearing in the show after we’ve begun negotiations.’
Procedure: Bruno added that there will be barely anyone in studio and the camera crew will keep a safe distance and no one will be wearing masks