Earlier this year, Bruno Tonioli confirmed he wouldn't be returning to the judging panel for Strictly Come Dancing 2022.

Instead, Anton du Beke will take his place alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas.

Tonioli sadly made the choice to leave his role on the celebrity dance show after spending 18 years as a judge, placing the blame on challenges with travel and clashes with his role on Dancing with the Stars.

Reflecting on the decision, Tonioli has now shed more light on his reasons for leaving Strictly behind.

bruno tonioli on dancing with the stars 2021
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Related: Strictly stars reunite for 2022 rehearsals

"I always will miss it," he told MailOnline, describing the hit BBC One show as his "family".

"At the moment, you know it's just as impossible, you know the situation is too complicated but they're all my brothers and sisters, we're all loving each other, you know, no hard feelings, they're great, they do a great job."

"No one knows what's going to happen in the future, but at the moment I do the American show but I can't do the travel, it's impossible," he explained.

strictly come dancing – craig revel horwood, darcey bussell, shirley ballas and bruno tonioli, judges
Guy Levy//BBC

Related: Strictly stars Gemma Atkinson and Gorka Marquez tease wedding plans

The Italian choreographer used to film Strictly on Saturdays before flying to Los Angeles the next morning for his work commitments in the US.

Tonioli revealed after several years of flying back and forth for work, the travel became too much to cope with.

However, he's not the only star to make the move over to the US for Dancing with the Stars as former Strictly head judge Len Goodman also works on the popular celebrity dance show.

craig revel horwood darcey bussell shirley ballas bruno tonioli
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Related: BBC Breakfast's Carol Kirkwood on how she ruined engagement

As for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, fans have been busy speculating over which famous faces will be taking to the dancefloor this year.

The show has yet to announce the official celebrity line-up, but we shouldn't have to wait too much longer as the dance competition is set to return to screens this autumn with its 20th series.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.

Interested in talking about Strictly Come Dancing? Visit our dedicated sub-forum

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Emma Tinson

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Emma is an experienced entertainment news journalist with NCTJ accreditation and a First-Class Honours Degree in Journalism. Having started her career as a broadcast journalist, Emma’s voice has been heard on varying radio stations across the UK including Absolute, Magic, BBC Three Counties Radio, LBC London News and more.  
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