Bruno Tonioli forced to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing for first time in 13 years

TV favourite Bruno Tonioli has been forced to miss this weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing.

Tonioli will not be on the judging panel for the first time in the shows’ 13 year history as he has a prior work commitment.

A spokesperson for the show said: “As was always the plan, Bruno Tonioli is not on the judging panel this weekend due to a very busy work schedule.

“He will be back as normal for our Halloween special and the rest of the series.”

The loveable judge will not be replaced, leaving Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell and head judge Shirley Ballas to hold the fort.

He will return for the coveted Halloween special next weekend.

Fans were left gutted by the news with many saying the BBC ballroom show “won’t be the same without him”.

Others called for former head judge Len Goodman to stand in, while others demanded Louie Spence.

Some even called for Brendan Cole to temporarily take over the reins after he was booted out in the dance-off last week with Charlotte Hawkins.

Fans are fearing that he is planning to quit the show for good after he appeared to hint at the prospect during his emotional speech on Sunday night's results show.

He said: “Quite often you stand in this position and you think ‘hey, it was our time to go’ and perhaps it is but not often you stand here with such sadness and go ‘I’m going to miss this’.

“I’m going to miss dancing with this girl. I’ve had one of the best Strictly's I’ve had in 15 years, and it’s hard to say. It’s emotional.”

He failed to dispel viewers' fears during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, telling Piers Morgan and Susanna Reid: “Am I coming back next year, am I not? That depends if the BBC want me and what I'm doing at the time.”

Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One, Saturday at 6:45pm.