Cheryl ‘to replace Bruno Tonioli’ if judge is ruled out of Strictly Come Dancing
CHERYL Tweedy is poised to take Bruno Tonioli's Strictly Come Dancing judge's chair if he is unable to appear on the show this year, a leading bookmaker has insisted.
The 64-year-old's Italian's appearance on the show is in question because of restrictions on flights between the UK and US, where he has a lucrative gig judging Dancing With The Stars.
Bookies Coral have now cut the odds of 36-year-old singer and Greatest Dancer judge Cheryl appearing on the show to just 2-1.
A spokesman explained: "With doubts over Bruno Tonioli's availability this year, we have slashed the odds on Cheryl being a judge on Strictly in 2020.
"Cheryl has been linked with being a contestant on Strictly for a while and they may just get their target this year, but in the judges' chair, rather than the dance floor."
Bruno usually shuttles between the UK and America on a series of transatlantic flights so he can appear both on Strictly and its US counterpart Dancing with the Stars.
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However, restrictions on both flights and entry to the US mean he may not be able to appear unless the international travel situation greatly improves.
A Strictly insider said: “Because of flying restrictions, Bruno may miss the start of the series but everyone is hoping he will be able to get here."
Another alternative is that Strictly will only start with three judges – Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse - with Bruno joining later in the run.
A BBC spokesperson said: “The entire Strictly family are working hard to ensure everyone can enjoy some much needed sparkle later this year.”