Simon Cowell is reportedly keen to sign Strictly Come Dancing’s Bruno Tonioli for his new dancing show.
The Greatest Dancer, a new dance competition, was officially announced earlier this year.
The new eight part series will be made by Simon’s Syco Entertainment and Thames (part of FremantleMedia UK), who currently produce both The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent for ITV.
The BBC say the show will feature a host of talent from across the world of dance as they give the performances of their lives in the search for the UK’s Greatest Dancer.
They tease: “From ballet to jazz; hip hop to Bollywood; the show is open to anyone. Expect dramatic auditions, incredible challenges and remarkable live performances as dancers from across the nation swing, swirl and sashay onto the stage each week in the hope of being crowned the winner.”
Details of judges and hosts have yet to be confirmed, but a pilot episode is said to have involved Cheryl, BGT judge Alesha Dixon, Diversity dancer Jordan Banjo and Strictly Come Dancing pro Oti Mabuse and Broadway performer and Glee star Matthew Morrison working on the project.
Now The Sun reports that Simon is hoping to pinch current Strictly judge Bruno for the show.
The music mogul is said to have spoken about trying to sign Bruno at his recent company party.
“Bruno was very much the talk of the bash,” a source told the tabloid. “Simon has always thought the world of Bruno and thinks he’d be perfect on The Greatest Dancer.”
They added: “Simon has never been afraid to take on the BBC and Strictly, but it is a different story now his show is on the same channel.
“That said, he still wants the best people for his series and he thinks Bruno is one of them.”
For now, Bruno is fully expected to be back for Strictly this autumn.
The Greatest Dancer is rumoured to launch in early 2019 on BBC One.
