Strictly bosses will preserve Anton Du Beke as decide and axe Bruno Tonioli

STRICTLY Come Dancing bosses intend to maintain Anton Du Beke as a decide this yr — axing Bruno Tonioli.

Bruno, 66, was dominated out of final yr’s judging panel after Covid restrictions prevented him from travelling to the UK.

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The Italian, who has been on the present 16 years, was anticipated to return after Craig Revel Horwood gave his assist by casting him on the dwell tour.

However BBC sources revealed that bosses have now determined in Anton’s favour — which may place them on a collision course with acid-tongued Craig.

One stated: “We’ve been advised Anton’s contract as a decide goes to be renewed. The bosses have been actually comfortable together with his efficiency.

“It additionally hasn’t escaped their discover his wage is significantly decrease than Bruno’s.

“Bruno has been an integral a part of Strictly for greater than a decade, and there’s a enormous quantity of affection for him from these on the present.

“This resolution will ruffle some feathers, not least with Craig, who has been a really, very vocal advocate for welcoming Bruno again. However the bosses’ angle is, ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it’.”

Bruno, who’s on Dancing With The Stars within the US, advised The Solar on Sunday final yr he was “unhappy and annoyed” to not be on Strictly.

He poked enjoyable at Anton, 55, beneath, saying: “Good for him. He wants the cash.”

And he conceded his time on the present is likely to be over, including: “If they need me, I’ll be again. However they might say, ‘Anton was nice, we don’t want you’.”

However he was “delighted” to be alongside his fellow judges for this yr’s tour. It’s understood he has not been notified of the BBC’s resolution.

The BBC and Anton declined to remark.