Latest news with #Tonioli
Metro
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Bruno Tonioli delivers scathing 3-word response to BGT Ofcom complaints
Britain's Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli has responded to ITV viewers who lodged Ofcom complaints over certain acts from this year's show. Tonioli is among the judging panel set to whittle down the acts in tonight's semi-final and, as with most years on the show, the acts have drawn a strong reaction from ITV viewers – with semi-finalist Auzzy Blood even receiving 700 Ofcom complaints. Blood – whose real name is Austin Punton – and his horror-themed act garnered quite the reaction from viewers during his audition. The American contestant, who describes himself as a 'walking freak show', inserted several metallic objects into his face, among other stunts, during his live tryout. Akira Ohashi, who ditched all his clothes for his first routine, also received 90 Ofcom complaints during the same episode. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Yet Tonioli has now recommended that viewers who complained about the acts on the show should 'read a book'. Toniolo told The Mirror: 'I don't focus on the negative. Social media? Forget it. Life is too short. Read a book!' Toniolo has previously defended Auzzy Blood, telling the Metro and other press outlets: 'It's presentation, to me – it was a bit like the Hammer House Of Horror feel, these movies that had this kind of wonderful, gothic feel to them. More Trending 'These acts are huge in Vegas. It does make you squeal, but I don't think it's offensive. There is a lot of skill in what he does, and the way it's presented is quite fascinating.' Bruno continued: 'What is incredible, and what I like about the show is he's exciting. We didn't know what was going to happen, and it's open to all parts of what we call variety. 'There is historical precedence to it. It's not [just] shock value. It is something that is out there and it has been around within this canon of variety for hundreds of years.' View More » Britain's Got Talent continues on ITV on Saturday, at 7pm. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Alison Hammond defends Peter Andre's controversial movie Jafaican MORE: Lorraine fans can't get enough of Alexander Skarsgard's 'wacky' outfit MORE: 'Highly offensive' ITV show set for second series despite police backlash
RTÉ News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Auzzy Blood's BGT act not offensive, says Bruno Tonioli
Britain's Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli has said he does not think semi-finalist Auzzy Blood's horror-themed act is "offensive" after the show was the subject of hundreds of complaints to the UK broadcasting watchdog Ofcom following Blood's audition. The US contestant, whose real name is Austin Punton, inserted a series of metallic objects into his face - before running a tube into his mouth and out of his nose for judge Simon Cowell to drink through during his first performance on the ITV talent show in February. The act concluded with the performer climbing up a rope using a metal hook in his mouth as some of the judges looked away. Britain's Got Talent was the subject of 771 Ofcom complaints in the aftermath of Blood's performance and that of the Japanese performer Akira Ohashi, whose routine included nudity. Speaking about Auzzy Blood, who previously competed on America's Got Talent, Tonioli said: "He does make you cringe, but it's a very, very, very sophisticated act in a way. "It's presentation, to me, it was a bit like the Hammer House of Horror feel, these movies that had this kind of wonderful, gothic feel to [them]. "It's part of the range of entertainment. These acts are huge in Vegas. It does make you squeal, but I don't think it's offensive. I think, because there is a lot of skill in what he does, and the way it's presented, [it] is quite fascinating. "What is incredible, and what I like about the show, he's exciting. We [didn't] know what was going to happen, and it's open to all parts of what we call variety. "[Going back in time,] these acts were part of the range of entertainers that they used to show, so there is naturally a historical precedent to it. It's not something that we [said], 'Let's do it for shock value'. "It is something that is out there and it has been around within this canon of variety for hundreds of years. "I don't think it's that shocking, but, I mean, that is my opinion, and I respect everyone else's." Tonioli said "the worst thing you can do" on the show is "be boring", adding he felt Britain's Got Talent had to present a "range" of acts. He continued: "I don't see why you shouldn't see it (Auzzy Blood's act). Obviously, it creates a reaction, but within that kind of act it was very good, and it's a variety show. I don't think it was done intentionally [to get a reaction]." Tonioli went on to say that performing in US entertainment hotspot Las Vegas was the aim for acts like Auzzy Blood and added he would "go down very well there". Britain's Got Talent 's first live semi-final will take place at 7pm on Saturday on Virgin Media One and ITV1. The semi-finals will consist of eight acts performing live for the chance to reach the final, where they could win a £250,000 cash prize and a spot on the bill of the Royal Variety Performance. The five live shows will see judges Tonioli, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, and Alesha Dixon given a golden buzzer to send a contestant straight through to the final.
South Wales Guardian
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Britain's Got Talent judge Bruno Tonioli says Auzzy Blood's act ‘not offensive'
The US contestant, whose real name is Austin Punton, inserted a series of metallic objects into his face, before running a tube into his mouth and out of his nose for judge Simon Cowell to drink through, during his first performance on the ITV talent show in February. The act concluded with the performer climbing up a rope using a metal hook in his mouth, as some of the judges looked away, with Britain's Got Talent receiving 771 Ofcom complaints in the aftermath of his performance and that of Japanese performer Akira Ohashi, whose routine included nudity. Speaking about Auzzy Blood, who previously competed on America's Got Talent, Tonioli said: 'He does make you cringe but it's a very, very, very sophisticated act in a way. 'It's presentation, to me, it was a bit like the Hammer House Of Horror feel, these movies that had this kind of wonderful, gothic feel to (them). 'It's part of the range of entertainment, these acts are huge in Vegas, it does make you squeal, but I don't think it's offensive, I think, because there is a lot of skill in what he does, and the way it's presented is quite fascinating. 'What is incredible, and what I like about the show, he's exciting, we (didn't) know what was going to happen, and it's open to all parts of what we call variety. '(Going back in time) these acts were part of the range of entertainers that they used to show, so there is naturally a historical precedence to it, it's not something that we (said) let's do it for shock value. 'It is something that is out there and it has been around within this canon of variety for hundreds of years. 'I don't think it's that shocking, but I mean that is my opinion, and I respect everyone else's.' The 69-year-old went on to say 'the worst thing you can do' on the show is 'be boring', adding he felt Britain's Got Talent had to present a 'range' of acts. He added: 'I don't see why you shouldn't see it (Auzzy Blood's act), obviously it creates a reaction, but within that kind of act it was very good, and it's a variety show, I don't think it was done intentionally (to get a reaction).' Tonioli went on to say that performing in US entertainment hotspot Las Vegas was the aim for acts like Auzzy Blood, and added he would 'go down very well there'. Britain's Got Talent's first live semi-final will take place at 7pm on Saturday on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player. The semi-finals will consist of eight acts performing live for the chance to reach the final, where they could win a £250,000 cash prize and a spot on the bill of the Royal Variety Performance. The five live shows will see judges Tonioli, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon given a golden buzzer to send a contestant straight through to the final.
The Independent
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Bruno Tonioli opens up about Len Goodman's death: ‘It hit me like a truck'
Bruno Tonioli has revealed how he coped with the death of his Strictly Come Dancing co-star, Len Goodman. Goodman, who served as head judge on the hit BBC series from its launch in 2004 until 2016, died of bone cancer days before his 79th birthday in April 2023, after being admitted to a hospice in Kent. Tonioli, 69, joined the judge's panel of the BBC dance competition the same year as Goodman. By the time the much-loved Strictly star died in 2023, the pair had been friends for almost two decades. Speaking to The Times, Tonioli admitted: 'Len Goodman's death hit me like a truck. But he would have said, 'Get it together, Bruno. Stop moaning and get on with it.'' The former Strictly Come Dancing judge revealed he had already navigated a 'continuously harrowing' period of tragedy in his life, ahead of Goodman's death, when he lost both his parents in the space of seven years. Tonioli's mother Fulvia died from a heart attack at the age of 63 in 1994. Meanwhile, his father developed Alzheimer's and died, aged 70, in 2001. 'You cannot ignore grief,' Tonioli reflected. 'You have to scream and shout. But don't stop living. I love my work. It has always been therapeutic because you focus your energy on something that is creative. 'You get depressed, very down, but you get your socks on, go on and do something,' he added. In 2023, Tonioli said that he was 'heartbroken' over Goodman's death, adding that he would 'treasure the memory of our incredible adventures and hundreds of shows we did together'. 'There will never be anyone like you. We will miss you,' he said. Goodman began dancing at 19, winning various competitions including the British Championships in Blackpool in his late 20s, after which he retired from professional competition. As well as his successful dancing and television career, he was also the owner of the Goodman Academy, a dance school in Dartford, Kent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free Goodman was known for his colourful turns of phrase, such as 'pickle me walnuts', when describing performances that especially entertained him. His most recognisable contribution to both dance programmes was his triumphant pronunciation of the number seven when scoring dances. As he held up a paddle with the number on it, Goodman would always say 'se-VEN!', emphasising the second syllable. It is a trait that has become synonymous with Strictly and one that his fellow judges have inherited.
