Bruno fears Strictly could go the same way as Bake Off

We saw the national outpouring of grief that Bake Off’s defection to Channel 4 sparked last month – so just imagine what would happen if Strictly Come Dancing went the same way.

And guess what? Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli is more than a little worried that the show could end up going AWOL from the BBC schedules at some point in the future.

Government proposals mean that the BBC has to give outside companies a chance to produce their most famous shows, and there are fears that Strictly could be the next one that’s put up for tender.

“It’s a delicate process,” the 60-year-old judge told The Sun. “They could upset a lot of people – it is a very very delicate situation with Strictly, even more than the Bake Off.

“The thing is that Strictly is a BBC property, they created the show,” he continued. “It is their format.
It could be sold, but I doubt it will be produced outside. They have to be very careful because Strictly is such is an institution in the UK it is the people’s show.

Other iconic BBC shows that could be in danger include stalwarts of the TV schedules like A Question of Sport, Holby City and yes, even Songs of Praise.

But Strictly would most likely cause the biggest backlash of all should it end up heading to Channel 4 or somewhere equally uncuddly.

Oh, and if Strictly ever did jump ship, Bruno would be under no obligation to follow it. The star revealed that he’s only hired for the show on a series by series basis.

“As a performer they have to first ask me to do it, because I am not under contract,” he explained.
“I do one series at a time, I worked for them for years but I am not under a long running contract like they have in America.

“They would have to ask me first and then I would see if it works for me as well it has in the past. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.”

Strictly on Channel 4 without Bruno Tonioli? It just doesn’t bear thinking about, does it?