Bruno Tonioli ‘quits’ Strictly Come Dancing in huge backstage row following FIX claims
The fiery judge "walked out" after the controversial axing of Melvin Odoom
STRICTLY Come Dancing was thrown into turmoil, after judge Bruno Tonioli “quit the show” because of rule changes.
It’s being reported that the fiery Italian stormed out of the studios at the weekend and got into a car demanding to be taken home, after there was no dance off on the last show.
He was angry after the controversial axing of KISS presenter Melvin Odoom.
He wasn’t alone, as thousands of viewers hit out after producers took the decision to spare singer Anastacia from the dance-off because she was injured.
The is reporting that Bruno disagreed with this decision, and felt that if a celebrity is unable to repeat their routine they should forfeit their place in the line-up.
A show source told them: “The studio audience had no idea about the backstage drama.”
However, after “quitting”, Bruno reportedly agreed to come back and Melvin was given the chop with the lowest viewer vote.
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It sparked claims that bosses conveniently chose to go with the public vote after Anastacia, was left unable to perform again as she had damaged scar tissue left by cancer surgery.
An insider said: “There was a lot of feedback that people couldn’t find the rules after Claudia Winkleman used them to justify Melvin getting the boot.
“The book is in a West London production office and has never been released. But there’s a need for transparency after so many claimed there was a fix.”
The Sun can reveal Anastacia is likely to get a bye week for next weekend’s dance unless she recovers from her issues.
She saw medical experts yesterday, having previously been told to avoid lifts or spins because of scars from her double mastectomy in 2013.
Pro partner Brendan Cole had to re-choreograph their last routine.
Anastacia wept as she realised she was in the bottom two with DJ Melvin but could not perform again.
Show sources said they will make a decision today on whether she can dance next weekend.
Corrie actress Natalie Gumede, 32, got a bye after fainting in 2011.
A BBC spokesman said: “Due to the nature of some of the content in the rules, publishing them in full would compromise our duty of care to participants.”
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