Bruno Tonioli celebrates his 65th birthday with pals in Los Angeles after prospect of a Strictly return this series is deemed ‘too dangerous’
Bruno Tonioli celebrated his 65th birthday in style on Wednesday night.
The Strictly judge appeared in high spirits as he joined friends for a meal at Italian restaurant Cecconi’s in Los Angeles.
Bruno’s birthday comes as MailOnline revealed the judge will not be returning to Strictly Come Dancing for the remainder of the current series.
Birthday boy: Bruno Tonioli celebrated his 65th birthday in style on Wednesday night
Bruno spotted a very bronzed tan as he arrived in a varsity jacket and black jeans and promptly put on his face mask.
The retired dancer appeared in high spirits as he greeted his male pals, with his Dancing with the Stars co-host Tyra Banks stopping by the celebration briefly to wish Bruno ‘Happy Birthday’.
After enjoying a meal at the Italian eatery, Bruno headed outside for a cigarette break before heading home carrying a gift bag of presents.
Happy: The Strictly judge appeared in high spirits as he joined friends for a meal at Italian restaurant Cecconi’s in Los Angeles
Hugs all round: The retired dancer appeared in high spirits as he greeted his male pals
Orange: Bruno spotted a very bronzed tan as he arrived in a varsity jacket and black jeans and promptly put on his face mask
Pandemic: The birthday celebrations were cut short due to the 10pm curfew amid the coronavirus pandemic
Absence: Bruno’s birthday comes as MailOnline revealed the judge will not be returning to Strictly Come Dancing for the remainder of the current series
It comes after it was revealed Bruno will not join the Strictly judging panel for the remainder of the series.
The television personality was due to take his place on the panel for the live shows following his return to the UK after completing the recent series of Dancing With The Stars, the US version of Strictly.
But show bosses and Bruno have decided it will be safer for the veteran judge to remain in the US and continue his cameo role on the Sunday night results show via satellite link up.
Individual style: Bruno donned suede ankle boots and sported his platinum blond hairdo
Joyful: Bruno chatted away to his male pal as he made his way to the restaurant
Smoking: After enjoying a meal at the Italian eatery, Bruno headed outside for a cigarette break
Moving on: Bruno appeared to brush off the blow that he wouldn’t appear on Strictly this year
A source close to Bruno said: ‘After much consideration, it’s just too dangerous for Bruno. Strictly has already been hit so heavily by Covid.
‘They didn’t want to take the risk. Bruno loves the show and will watch as ever from the States and give his feedback on Sunday’s show.’
Bruno was due to isolate for two weeks after returning from the US before making his comeback on the BBC1 series, yet the plan has been thwarted.
Grateful: He headed home carrying a gift bag of presents
Current judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse, who will return to the panel this weekend following her own period of isolation after an urgent trip to Germany, will complete the series as a trio.
It was originally reported in August, that her would make a comeback later this year after ditching the show amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Bruno usually jets between London and Los Angeles to sit on the panel for both the long-running UK show as well as its US counterpart.
Hard work: Bruno was due to isolate for two weeks after returning from the US before making his comeback on Strictly (Bruno, pictured on Dancing With The Stars earlier this month)
But due to the global coronavirus pandemic impacting travel restrictions, the Italian choreographer had favoured the US version when forced to pick just one.
At the time, insiders said BBC bosses were keen to get Bruno to the UK and hope that he could make a comeback for the Strictly final later this year.
The plans have now been thwarted due to the concerns around travelling in the pandemic, meaning Bruno will continue with his remote appearances.
Decisions: Bruno usually jets between London and Los Angeles to sit on the panel for both the long-running UK show as well as its US counterpart
DWTS first: Due to the global coronavirus pandemic impacting travel restrictions, the Italian choreographer had favoured the US version when forced to pick just one