Bruno Tonioli may be forced to pull out of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing

Bruno Tonioli could be forced to pull out of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The Strictly judge may be forced to sit out the 2020 series due to travel and quarantine restrictions.

Bruno currently appears on both the British version of the show and its American counterpart, Dancing With The Stars.

However his usual weekly transatlantic flights may not be possible this year.

He explained to The Sun newspaper: “For years and years I’ve spent two days of each week on the plane flying between London and LA. I leave America on Wednesday and come back every Sunday but now it’s impossible and, because of the current travel restrictions, it’s beyond my control.

“Under normal circumstances I take a deep breath and do the travel. I love the show and love to do it and normally I’m destroyed by Christmas, but this year is different for everyone.

“Under the current restrictions they just won’t allow it. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Bruno has been a judge on the show since the very first series in 2004.

He currently appears on the panel with Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood.

Meanwhile, it’s been reported that Strictly Come Dancing bosses have seemingly worked out a way to keep a live audience on the show.

It was expected that the show’s live studio audience would have to be scrapped due to social distancing but it seems there may be an alternative.

It’s been reported that producers are looking at seating audience members around tables in a cabaret style setup.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: “We will continue to review all productions on a case-by- case basis and to follow the latest news and advice from the Foreign Office, World Health Organisation and Public Health England.”

Names linked to the Strictly Come Dancing line up this year include TikTok star Holly H, TV host Michelle Ackerley, Radio DJ presenter Maya Jama, and Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, who was forced to quit last year’s show due to injury.

Strictly Come Dancing typically begins on BBC One in September.