Bruno Tonioli makes Britain’s Got Talent history on first day of new role with epic stunt that leaves crowd stunned
NEW Britain’s Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli made a sensational start to his time on the show by breaking one of its major rules.
The former Strictly Come Dancing star got over excited when a dance troupe came on stage, and he hit his golden buzzer before they’d completed his performance.
Under normal circumstances the judges on the ITV1 show only do this after they’ve delivered their audition – but fellow judge Simon Cowell didn’t seem to mind.
He said: “That’s never actually happened, you’ve made BGT history. Usually the golden buzzer is pressed after you’ve performed.
“But Bruno was too excited and decided to press it while you were performing.”
The new judge, who joins Simon, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon on the panel of the talent contest, got so enthused by the dance troupe that he got on stage and joined them.
Hitting his golden buzzer means they go straight through to the live semi-final later this year – but Bruno also acknowledged he’d jumped the gun spectacularly.
He said to the act: “I’m sorry, it just felt right. You have to follow your heart. I was literally exploding, you’ve started this show with a triumph. I can’t wait to see you again.”
Bruno was introduced to the audience at the London Palladium today to the anthem from the Rocky soundtrack, Eye of the Tiger.
Introducing them, Declan Donnelly said: “We’re so excited to be back! We’ve got a bit of a change this year, a brand new judge on the panel.”
Bruno’s appearance ends weeks of speculation over who would replace the departing David Walliams, with Amanda’s pal Alan Carr thought to be a dead cert for the job.
But last week The Sun confirmed exclusively that it would be Bruno, a long-time pal of Simon’s who got the coveted role.
After emerging in the stalls and arriving on the panel he said: “I am thrilled to be here, look at these girls, they’re stunning. And my old friend Simon, what an honour it is to work with you, finally.
“He’s teased me with this for years and years, I tell you. I’m thrilled to finally be here. I’m very emotional and I’m very, very nervous.”
But he wasn’t so nervous that he couldn’t use his buzzer – in fact he buzzed off the very first act, a keyboard player dressed as Darth Vader.
He said: “That was torture! I’m bewildered, the force is definitely not with you! Maybe you could come back next year as someone else.”
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