Britain’s Got Talent’s Alesha Dixon throws major shade at ‘exhausting’ Bruno Tonioli after breaking show rules
BRITAIN’S Got Talent star Alesha Dixon has admitted it’s ‘exhausting sitting next to newcomer Bruno Tonioli.
Bruno is officially replacing David Walliams on the upcoming series of the ITV favourite, after Walliams was caught on tape making disparaging remarks about former contestants.
But Bruno – who is best known for his time on Strictly Come Dancing – immediately caused trouble by breaking the rules and pressing the golden buzzer more than once, sending multiple acts through to the live final.
He later admitted he’d never seen Britain’s Got Talent before and didn’t know that judges were only allowed to use it once each.
Speaking to Roman Kemp on Capital Breakfast this morning, long-standing judge Alesha has given her verdict on her new co-star.
She said: “He pressed the golden buzzer about 20 seconds into the act. And we’re supposed to wait until the end, I was furious because I wanted to press my golden buzzer for the act he pressed it for.
“In fact, when they came on the stage I told them that I followed them on Instagram and that I was a fan of them, and I said to the producers I was so excited about them performing on the show, 20 seconds into the show he pressed the golden buzzer. He broke the rules and he infuriated me, I was devastated, then it became a funny moment, I pressed my golden buzzer for an incredible act and it all worked out.”
Alesha also said that Bruno proved to be more physical than Walliams was, even grabbing her during his extravagant outbursts, causing her to bruise.
“I feel bad because I said the other day, they went ‘what’s it like working with Bruno?’ and I said, “he likes to grab my arm, he’s very you know, he’s very expressive and passionate’,” she said.
“I’ve had a few Bruno bruises on the arms. I bruise like a peach, my nine year old daughter said I should put a fake arm on!”
When Sian Welby quizzed her on what it was like working alongside him, she simply responded: “Exhausting. It’s absolutely exhausting.”
“Yeah he does not know how to sit still,” she added. “It’s like sitting next to an excitable puppy, I’m not even exaggerating. The first day I was like, what is happening here?”
The comments come after Bruno’s addition to the programme caused such a stir Alesha and co-star Amanda Holden threatened to quit after discovering his hefty pay packet.
Bruno is believed to have tripled his Strictly wage to an £850,000 pay day to join the panel, which is the same as Amanda and Alesha who have both been on the show for over a decade.
Amanda has been on the show for 17 years alongside Simon Cowell, and Alesha 11 years after joining six series in.
They’re believed to have been angered by someone coming in and earning the same amount they’ve spent years building up.
Listen to Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp, weekdays from 6am – 10am across the UK and on Global Player.