Bruno wants Claudia Winkleman to co-host Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli has revealed he would like the show's stand-in host Claudia Winkleman to replace Sir Bruce Forsyth.

He said he would like to see her continue her on-screen partnership with Tess Daly when the BBC One programme returns in the autumn.

Sir Bruce announced earlier this month that he was stepping down from the live Strictly shows after a decade-long reign on the contest, presenting alongside Tess.

His departure has prompted speculation about the long-term replacement, but Bruno - who has been with Strictly since the beginning - backed Claudia and Tess, although he was unsure what BBC bosses had in mind.

The duo have been presenters on the Sunday night results show and have shown off their sparkling chemistry when Sir Bruce has taken a rest or been ill.

Speaking as he attended Brit Week in Los Angeles, Bruno said: "Personally, when Tess and Claudia did the show they know how it works, they are part of the family.

"Strictly Come Dancing is almost like an institution itself now in Britain, and I would be very, very happy for them, but it's not my show. I don't have any power and it is the big bosses that will make the decision. But I'll be delighted to have Tess and Claudia - they are fantastic, they work very well together."

He went on: "The show is very, very strong. I don't know what is going to happen. I'm sure the replacement will be as good, as entertaining as Bruce, but Bruce is such a legend especially in Britain, he's a national treasure, so you can never try to be another Bruce.

"I think it has to be something completely different. The girls did very well. Tess and Claudia did a fantastic job."

 

Press Association

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.